Encephalitis Death Toll Rises To 73 In Bihar's Muzaffarpur, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan To Visit Tomorrow

Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) has claimed the lives of six more children in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar as the state grapples with the life-taking disease.

Encephalitis outbreak in Bihar | (Photo Credits: IANS)

Muzaffarpur, June 15: Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) has claimed the lives of six more children in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar as the state grapples with the life-taking disease. The number of deaths in Muzaffarpur rose to 73 on Saturday. Following the outbreaking, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan will visit the district on Sunday, June 16, to review the situation. Lychee Havoc Grips Bihar: Death Toll Due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Muzaffarpur Rises to 69.

The state health department has cited Hypoglycemia, caused by a very low level of blood sugar, resulting from the high heat as the main reason for deaths. Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey said that the government is doing everything to save children's. This year, 220 children were admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur due to Encephalitis, out of which 62 lost their lives. Deaths Due to Encephalitis on The Rise in Muzaffarpur, Over a Dozen Admitted to Hospitals.

"We are trying everything and anything that can save children's lives. Everything is being made available from medicines to doctors. We have even called doctors and nurses from AIIMS in Patna," Pandey said. He said that the condition is being monitored regularly and efforts are made to save children.

The Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has blamed state government for the rising casualties. “Situation is quite alarming and I wonder why Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has not visited the hospital yet to take stock of the situation,” said RJD State chief Ram Chandra Purve, after visiting SKMCH.

Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party President and Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also visited the hospital and said the state and Central government are working together to tackle the situation. "We’ll do all our best to provide all medical facilities to the affected children”, he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 15, 2019 11:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

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