PATNA: The acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) has claimed one more life as a three-year-old Vaishali boy died at SKMCH in Muzaffarpur on Saturday, taking the AES official toll this year to 5 in the state.
SKMCH deputy superintendent and head of paediatrics department, Dr Gopal Shankar Sahni, said the child was brought in a very serious condition around 1:30pm on Saturday and died within four hours.
It was the fifth AES death in the state till June 5.
Altogether 26 AES cases have been reported this year so far.
Of the five deaths, one each was from Muzaffarpur, Sheohar, Vaishali, East Champaran and West Champaran.
Out of the total 26 cases, Muzaffarpur had the maximum 13, followed by Sitamarhi (4), Vaishali (3), East Champaran (3), Sheohar (2) and West Champaran (1).
However, compared to previous year, there has been a drop in the number of AES cases registered.
The death toll this year is also low.
For instance, six deaths and 39 AES cases were reported till June 5 last year.
Muzaffarpur district magistrate Pranav Kumar said there has been reduction in the number of AES cases and deaths in the state for the last two years.
In 2019, total 431 cases were reported.
The number came down to 43 in 2020.
The maximum number of AES cases and deaths were reported in June.
Pranav cited various reasons behind the drop in AES cases and deaths dueing the past two years.
He said preventive measures were being taken against the disease.
He appreciated the village model, in which one official has been made the in-charge to create awareness and hold regular meetings with the villagers.
Pranav said they have also emphasised on awareness campaign, capacity building of frontline workers and distribution of ORS and food material in the areas affected by AES.
Parents have been cautioned not to let their kids sleep empty stomach.