Suspected encephalitis: Toll rises to 40 in Bengal

Six more people have died of suspected encephalitis at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) here since Tuesday, taking the toll to 40 in the past 15 days, health officials said Thursday.

"Six more people have died in the past 48 hours, taking the toll to 40 in the past 15 days," NBMCH principal Anup Kumar Roy said. More than 50 people are still undergoing treatment at the facility, he added.

Roy, however, said of the 40 dead, so far only two people have been confirmed with Japanese encephalitis.

Meanwhile NBMCH superintendent Amarendranath Sarkar admitted that at least 55 people have died in the hospital alone of suspected encephalitis in the past two months.

Jalpaiguri Chief Medical Health Officer (CMOH) Jagannath Sarkar said 40 people have succumbed to the malady so far in the district. He said in the past two months nearly 300 people were admitted with symptoms similar to encephalitis.

Concerned over the rising toll, a directorate of health services delegation will visit Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts.

Darjeeling CMOH Subir Bhowmik said the delegation after completing its probe will hold a high level meeting July 21.