The deaths of more than 100 children due to an outbreak of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in Bihar has come under the scanner of the Supreme Court. The tragedy has sparked national outrage and arrested international headlines. As the death toll passed 150 over the weekend, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of the Muzaffarpur district (where most […]
encephalitis
Public health infrastructure in Bihar is in the ICU
The recent tragic deaths of over a hundred children in Bihar has put the spotlight on the ailing public health infrastructure – both in the state and in the country. The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Centre and state governments over what it has termed “deplorable public health infrastructure” and reminded […]
Disease profile: Encephalitis
Encephalitis is a disease present across much of India, responsible for thousands of deaths within the country every year, though rarely attracts the same manner of media exposure as other conditions such as malaria or HIV. That is, until recently. The recent spate of child deaths resulting from the condition in Bihar has cast a […]
Encephalitis continues to claim lives in Bihar
In the period of a week, several contrasting statements have been released by various media outlets regarding the situation in Bihar where 128 child deaths have been reported at the time of writing. As first suspected, encephalitis seems to be the cause – although mismanagement could be playing a significant role in the tragedy. […]