At least six people died of encephalitis since Wednesday in northern West Bengal to take the toll to 45 a health official said here Friday. According to a senior state health department official five deaths were reported from North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Darjeeling district and the other death occurred in Alipurduar district. (Read: Encephalitis -- everything you need to know about) 'Since Wednesday six deaths have occurred so far at least 45 people have succumbed to encephalitis in the year' said the official. As many as 15 new cases have been reported in the last 48 hours