“S. India Encephalitis Death Toll Rises to 140

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Indian health officials say that the death toll in Andhra Pradesh due to mosquito-borne encephalitis is now 140, with at least 257 other children affected during the past eight weeks. According to Dr. P. Laxmi Rajyam, five more deaths were reported on Sunday, but the number of cases is falling and the situation is under control. Viral meningo-encephalitis is rare in the summer, and many of the children may have died due to a sudden change of weather or because they could not be taken to health centers in time; a vaccine is available, and is usually given after an outbreak begins. Officials are worried about the disease spreading during an upcoming Hindu religious festival, when millions of people are expected to assemble along rivers; however, the government said it is taking steps to keep disease from spreading during the festival.

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