UP: Encephalitis claims lives of 40 children

Mahrajganj (UP): Forty children have died due to encephalitis in Mahranganj district in the last two months, health officials said here on Monday.

"Since September, 230 encephalitis patients were admitted for treatment, of which 40 children died, while 55 children are still being treated in the Nehru Chikitsalya of BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur. The rest have been discharged," Additional Director, Health, Devaker Prasad said.

Since January, 183 cases of Japanese Encephalitis have come to light while the rest were that of viral encephalitis caused by an unknown virus, he said.

Since January, 183 cases of Japanese Encephalitis have come to light while the rest were that of viral encephalitis.

He said the state government had undertaken a massive vaccination drive against the disease.

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