Bihar Encephalitis death toll reaches 73, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan reaches Muzaffarpur: 10 Points

Bihar Children Death: Encephalitis is a viral disease, which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as high fever, convulsions and headaches and has been claiming lives in the district for the past few weeks.

Bihar Children Death: The death toll from Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar rose to 73 on Saturday. (PTI)

Bihar Children Death: The death toll from Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar rose to 73 on Saturday. All the victims, most of whom are below the age of 10, have fallen prey to hypoglycemia, a condition caused by a very low level of blood sugar and electrolyte imbalance, as per the report. Encephalitis is a viral disease, which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as high fever, convulsions and headaches and has been claiming lives in the district for the past few weeks. Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey said the state government is doing its best to save children. Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today visited Muzaffarpur to take stock of the situation. Here are the top 10 points in story of children death from Encephalitis in Bihar: 1) Acute Encephalitis Syndrome has claimed the lives of 6 more children in Bihar on Saturday as the state grapples with the deadly disease. The number of deaths in Muzaffarpur now stands at 73 this month. 2) In the wake of the fatalities, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to families of the children who died due to AES in Muzaffarpur. He has also given directions to the health department, district administration and doctors to take necessary measures to fight the disease. 3) Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan visited Muzaffarpur today to take stock and review the situation following the death of 73 children. During his visit, he reviewed the situation prevailing due to the outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). 4) Vardhan had earlier said that the Union Health ministry is constantly monitoring the situation and supporting the state's health authorities in managing the AES/JE cases. 5) The unofficial deaths of children from the disease, however, are said to be over 80 as some children died in their villages before being admitted to hospital. According to reports, two children died in Begusarai district and three died in East Champaran district on Saturday. 6) Meanwhile, according to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, there is a lack of information and awareness among the people on how to tackle the disease. 7) Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey said that the state government has tried to spread awareness which will be beneficial as well. "Advertisement in newspapers, radio jingles, pamphlets and mic announcements are going to spread awareness regarding the disease. Health ministry is also working on it," he said. 8) The 67 children yesterday died due to hypoglycemia in two hospitals in Patna-- the state-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) and the Kejriwal Hospital which is run by a trust, officials said. 9) Since June 1, 197 children have been admitted to SKMCH while 91 were admitted to Kejriwal Hospital with suspected Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), but most of them were found to be victims of hypoglycemia. The condition of six children undergoing treatment at each of the two hospitals is stated to be serious. 10) With the toll feared to go up as dozens of kids are still being treated in various hospitals, the state and Central governments are scrambling to contain the spread of the disease. (with inputs from agencies)