Will launch encephalitis immunization campaign: Vardhan

The campaign will launch from Muzaffarpur

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Saturday said the central government would launch a campaign to ensure 100 percent imminizatuion of children in states hit by a suspected encephalitis outbreak.

"Now, my priority is to ensure 100 percent imminizatuion of children in encephalitis affected areas. I will launch this campaign from Muzaffarpur (Bihar)," Harsh Vardhan, who arrived here Friday night, told reporters.

Harsh Vardhan will Saturday visit Muzaffarpur district - worst hit by the encephalitis - to personally take stock of the situation.

In the past three-week, the suspected Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) has claimed lives of 130 children in Bihar, mostly in Muzaffarpur.

The union minister said Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has requested him to launch the initiative to check the disease.

The centre was serious to tackle the situation, he added.

The disease, limited to Muzaffarpur till last week, has now spread to Vaishali, Samastipur, Sheohar, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Gaya districts.

According to doctors, the AES is a severe case of encephalitis characterised by inflammation of the brain. Mosquitoes transmit the infection, causing high fever among the children.