74 children dead due to Acute Encephalopathy Syndrome in Bihar

Patna: Altogether 74 children have died due to the Acute Encephalopathy Syndrome (AES) out of the 197 such cases reported in hospitals in Bihar since May this year, a health official said today.

Stating that AES comprising symptoms of 17 diseases like cerebral malaria, meningitis and TB meningitis, Principal Secretary (Health) Amarjeet Sinha said 34 children died at the Patna Medical College and Hospital and 30 others at the Sri Krishna Memorial College and Hospital and the private Kejriwal hospital in Muzaffarpur.

Mr Sinha said that medical infrastructure has been put in place at government and private hospitals for treatment of AES cases and medical and paramedic personnel alerted to the situation.