One more child dies of AES at Muzaffarpur hospital, toll rises to 13

PATNA: A seven-year-old boy, identified as Rajendra, died of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur on Saturday night, taking the AES toll to 13 in state since January this year.
Rajendra, a resident of Turkichhajan under Kudhani block in Muzaffarpur district, was admitted to the hospital on August 6.
SKMCH head of paediatrics department, Dr Gopal Shankar Sahni, said on Sunday the victim was brought to the facility in a critical condition.He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the paediatrics ward, but couldn’t survive. “We tried our level best to save the child but in vain,” he added.
The victim's relative, Santu Manjhi, said, “Rajendra complained of high fever, body ache and convulsion two days back. The family contacted a local quack, who gave him some drugs. On Thursday, he was referred to the SKMCH where he died on Saturday.”
According to an official data released by the Muzaffarpur district administration, altogether 57 cases of AES have been reported to the SKMCH from different districts in north Bihar since January this year. Of them, 13 died and 41 were discharged after their health improved.
At present, only one child was undergoing treatment in the PICU ward of the hospital after being diagnosed as AES infected. Two people had earlier left the hospital without informing the authorities concerned, a senior health department official said.
SKMCH superintendent Dr B S Jha said an awareness campaign was underway in the areas earmarked as worst hit due to AES. Majority of the cases were reported from Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Vaishali, East Champaran and West Champaran districts.