Acute encephalitis syndrome adds to Bihar’s woes

NEW DELHI: Grappling with the increasing Covid-19 numbers, Bihar has a new challenge with the return of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) to Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi districts. Last year, 167 children died of AES and a total of 647 cases were reported from 11 districts.

AES affects malnourished children the most. It is characterised by onset of high fever and inflammatory lesions in the brain and primarily kills infants. Muzaffarpur Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) reported over 20 cases of AES this season and recorded the death of a 3-year-old boy. Sitamarhi has reported another five cases.

Since 1995, AES, referred as ‘chamki bukhaar’, has been prevalent in Vaishali, Sheohar, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Begusarai, Darbhanga, Supaul and Champaran east and west districts, apart from Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi. Last June, the deaths brought into focus the poor state of healthcare in Bihar and the state government made treatment of AES free in all healthcare facilities.


Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday asked state health minister Mangal Pande to monitor the situation. According to sources, the Bihar government said that the onset of AES has been early this year. Last year, the cases had peaked in June.