Bihar registered a rise in the cases of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in Muzaffarpur

A 7-member central team of experts visited Muzaffarpur on Wednesday (12^th June) to review the situation as three more children died at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in the town due to suspected acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), taking the death toll in the district and adjoining areas to 43 within a fortnight.

Muzaffarpur DM Alok Ranjan Ghosh confirmed 43 deaths due to the symptoms similar to AES. He said no suspected AES death was reported from Kejriwal Matri Sadan (KMS), another major hospital in the town, since 11^th June, Tuesday.

“Altogether 14 new cases of suspected AES have been reported from SKMCH and five from KMS. We are getting figures from primary health centres and additional primary health centres apart from other private nursing homes. Now total number of such patients has reached to 172 since January 1 this year. Altogether 41 kids have been discharged from the hospital, but 10 children are critical as 63 (53 at SKMCH and 10 at KMS) are undergoing treatment,” the DM said.

SKMCH superintendent Dr Sunil Kumar Shahi said 36 have children died in the hospital till Wednesday with AES symptoms.

KMS administrator BB Giri also admitted seven suspected AES deaths in his hospital since June 1 this year. “We have details of children who died this season with symptoms of AES,” Dr Shahi, as per the local news.

However, principal secretary (health) Sanjay Kumar confirmed 36 deaths till Wednesday. He said the deaths were primarily due to hypoglycaemia or dyselectrolytemia, which may be the symptom of AES, which is locally known as Chamki Bukhar.

As per the sources the epidemic has broken out in five north Bihar districts and more children have died in the last nine days than the official figures.

“Children suffering from AES suddenly develop high fever. Their body temperature rises up and they suffer from convulsions, weakness and fall unconscious,” Muzaffarpur civil surgeon Sailesh Prasad Singh, said.

The health department has issued an advisory to people to take care of their children and not allow them to play under the sun.

Director-in-chief (disease control) RD Ranjan on 11^th June Tuesday visited Muzaffarpur to assess the situation after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed concern over the children’s death. Ranjan visited SKMCH and KMS to inquire about the facilities available there for treatment of the children.

  children, Disease, health, muzaffarpur