Three more deaths in Muzaffarpur

MUZAFFARPUR: Three more children died of acute encephalitis syndrome, taking the toll to 124 on Friday. All three deaths were reported from the government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital, while Kejriwal Matri Sadan recorded no casualties till late afternoon.
Fresh cases continued to arrive at the two hospitals in Muzaffarpur, the epicentre of the deadly ‘brain fever’ epidemic, even as a three-member team from New Delhi arrived here to assess the situation.
“Twenty-five more children, 21 at SKMCH and 4 at KMS, have been admitted with symptoms of convulsion, high fever and nausea. Altogether 255 children are undergoing treatment in both hospitals,” a medical bulletin issued by the district magistrate said.
SKMCH superintendent Sunil Kumar Shahi confirmed the arrival of the central team headed by principal secretary (health services).
“The team inquired about basic infrastructure at the hospital and expressed satisfaction at the facilities available. But they were apprehensive about shortage of human resources and assured us of deploying more man power to meet the challenges,” Shahi said.
He added that the number of seats at the hospital has gone up to 66 as a general ward with 20 beds has been converted into a paediatric intensive care unit to accommodate more ailing children here.
The district administration, meanwhile, has intensified its awareness programme in the state with the help of Unicef and WHO.
"We are taking all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease in newer areas. Our workers are going from door to door to educate people about taking preventive measures,” Muzaffarpur DM Alok Ranjan Ghosh said.