The Hindu : New Delhi News : 22 kids die, 35 hospitalised due to mystery disease in Bihar

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22 kids die, 35 hospitalised due to mystery disease in Bihar

Muzaffarpur: At least 22 children below the age of six years have died, and 35 others hospitalised during the past one week in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district due to a mystery disease, officials said.

While four children died at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), three others died at the Kejriwal Hospital in Muzaffarpur town, they said.

SKMCH paediatrician Braj Mohan said: “While four children have died since Saturday, 20 others are still being treated.” Kejriwal Hospital Superintendent Bibi Giri said three children below the age of six years have died due to suspected encephalitis during the past 24 hours, and 15 others have been admitted for treatment.

Samples sent

The State Health Department sent a team of experts from Patna to the district to collect blood samples, Principal secretary (Health), Amarjeet Sinha said. The samples have been sent to a specialised laboratory in Pune, he added.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday asked the Centre to depute a team of medical experts to diagnose the disease that claimed lives of twenty two children during the past one week in Muzaffarpur district. “The Chief Minister has requested Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to depute a special team of medical experts to diagnose the disease in Muzaffarpur,” an official spokesman said.

Mr. Kumar has already directed the state officials to take steps for prevention of the disease and treatment of those hospitalised in Muzaffarpur. — PTI

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