Encephalitis claims 47 lives in 11 days in Bengal

Encephalitis death toll seems to be varying. While 45 people were reportedly known to lose their lives in the past 17 days, recent updates reveal a different estimate.

A total of 47 people have died of Japanese encephalitis in the last 11 days in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, a top health official said.

'So far 47 patients have died of Japanese encephalitis in the last 11 days in the hospital. These patients coming from Siliguri and nearby districts of north Bengal were admitted with symptoms of encephalitis,' Dr Amarendranath Sarkar, Superintendent of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital said.

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is a disease that results in inflammation of the brain. The patient's central nervous system is affected. While the lesser symptoms include headaches and fevers, the more severe ones cause the onset of mental issues like seizures, confusion, disorientation, tremors and hallucinations. It can be caused due to bacterial or viral infections of the brain, injection of toxic substances or increased complications of an infectious disease.

With inputs from PTI

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