By Ahmad Adil
CHANDIGARH, India (AA) - The death toll due to suspected acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in an east Indian state rose from 64 last Thursday to 83 on Sunday, officials said.
“Most of the victims are children, and the cases have been reported from various areas,” Dr. Shailesh Prasad Singh, a senior health official in Muzaffarpur in the eastern state of Bihar, told Anadolu Agency.
"Preventive measures have also been put in place by the health department," he added.
AES is a severe case of encephalitis -- inflammation of the brain -- transmitted by mosquitoes and characterized by high fever.
Local media reported that Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan visited Bihar's Sri Krishna Medical College hospital on Sunday to review the situation on the ground.
According to news agency ANI, Vardhan chaired a meeting with local officials and met families and patients in the state.