8 die of Japanese Encephalitis in North Bengal

Siliguri (WB): Eight persons have died of Japanese Encephalitis in the North Bengal Medical College here in the past nine days, a hospital official said Friday.

All the eight persons, hailing from Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts, had symptoms of mild fever, acute headache and breathing trouble, the official said.

Presently four patients, including one from Sikkim, suffering from suspected encephalitis were being treated in the hospital. Their blood samples had been sent to laboratory for test, he said.

Meanwhile, an encephalitis awareness camp was set up inside the medical college premises this afternoon following a high level meeting of adminitrative and health officials last evening, he said.