Suspected encephalitis toll in Bengal climbs to 45

One more person died of suspected encephalitis here, taking the toll due to the suspected vector-borne disease in West Bengal to 45 in the last 17 days, officials said Saturday.

The latest death took place at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Darjeeling district Friday night.

A delegation, including two experts from the School of Tropical Medicine (STM), Kolkata, visited NBMCH Friday to ascertain the facts about the deaths purportedly caused by encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis syndromes.

The team is scheduled to visit affected areas like Dhupguri, Maynaguri and Malbazar in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district Saturday.

NBMCH superintendent Amarendranath Sarkar said in the last 17 days, 45 people have died at the hospital because of acute encephalitis syndrome.

Five more patients have been admitted with high fever and encephalitis syndrome, while at least 36 people are undergoing treatment. - IANS