30 die, 105 affected by Japanese Encephalitis in Bihar

At least 30 people have died and about 105 persons affected by Japanese Encephalitis in Bihar, prompting the state health authorities to

order chemical fogging in the affected areas of Gaya and Munger districts.

State health department sources confirmed 30 deaths due to the disease and claimed that around 105 others were affected in Gaya and other districts because of the spread of the disease.

"We are sending doctors to the affected areas and intensifying the technical malathion (chemical fogging) to destroy the causative mosquitoes of Japanese Encephalitis," a source said.

Identifying pigs and water birds for the growth of mosquitoes, the health department had also approached the animal resources department to keep pigs away from human habitation, sources said.

Special vaccination drive would be undertaken to contain the disease, besides routine immunisation in the districts, they said.

According to official figures, three children died and altogether 21 Japanese encephalitis cases were reported in 2006, while the death toll rose to 164 in 2007, during which 336 cases were reported.

Similarly in 2008, 46 children died of the disease and 198 were affected