India

Girl Dies Near Harsh Vardhan, Encephalitis Toll In Bihar Now 93

By
OB Bureau

The death toll from a fever that has gripped Muzaffarpur and adjoining districts in Bihar has risen to 93, with a five-year-old girl dying in front of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday.

The minister was visiting Bihar’s Sri Krishna Medical College hospital to review the ground situation in the state. Over the past month, Muzaffarpur has been grappling with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome. Many of the children died due to hypoglycaemia, a condition caused by low blood sugar.

Harsh Vardhan, a doctor before joining politics, reached Bihar on Saturday. After attending a state-level review meeting, he told NDTV: “Despite all problems and considering the seriousness of this disease, I appreciate the efforts put in by the doctors to ensure efficient treatment to everyone.”

Acute Encephalitis Syndrome is a catch-all term for afflictions of the central nervous system, caused by viral infections. The virus was considered to be the one that causes Japanese Encephalitis, but AES could also be caused by scrub typhus, zika, Nipah or even mumps virus. In some cases, the cause remains undetected. Till recently, hypoglycemia caused by lychee toxins was considered a form of AES.

This year has seen one of the worst outbreaks of the disease in Bihar.

Doctors claimed that the deaths are caused by excessive heat and humidity. A report in India Today said, locally, the fever is called Chamki.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 Lakh each for families of children who died due to AES in Muzaffarpur. He has also given directions to health department, district administration and the doctors to take necessary measures to fight the disease.

Experts are of the opinion that unless and until rainfall takes place, the situation will only aggravate in the days to come.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

India To Celebrate 125th Birth Anniv Of Odisha’s First CM Harekrushna Mahatab, Informs Mohan Majhi

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday informed about the central government's plans for…

November 5, 2024

Cracks On Puri Jagannath Temple’s Meghanada Pacheri: Odisha BJP Blames Previous BJD Govt

Bhubaneswar: Amid a brouhaha over cracks detected on the ‘Meghanada Pacheri’ surrounding Shree Jatannath Temple…

November 5, 2024

Daughter’s Name Can’t Be Deleted From List Of Family Members Eligible For Govt Employee’s Pension

New Delhi: In a recently released guidelines, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW)…

November 5, 2024

Berhampur Cops In Odisha To Wear Body Cameras After Alleged Assault Case

Berhampur: After Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police, Berhampur police have introduced body cameras for its personnel to…

November 5, 2024

States Can’t Take Over All Private Properties For Common Good, Rules SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that states are not empowered by the…

November 5, 2024

Centre Sends Notice To Wikipedia Over ‘Bias & Inaccurate Information’

New Delhi: The central government has sent a notice to Wikipedia—which endorses itself as a…

November 5, 2024

4 Journalists From Odisha Injured In Road Accident In Tamil Nadu

Bhubaneswar: Four journalists from Odisha sustained critical injuries when as the SUV carrying them rammed…

November 5, 2024

‘Untimely’ Rath Yatra In Huston: Puri Gajapati Asks ISKCON Not To Test Patience Of Lord Jagannath Devotees In Odisha

Puri: Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Tuesday said legal action would be initiated against International…

November 5, 2024