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128 die of encephalitis

Gorakhpur and Basti divisions of eastern Uttar Pradesh, just recovering from severe floods, have now fallen into the grip of the dreaded encephalitis.

The disease has so far claimed 128 lives. Six hundred and six persons, mostly children, have been taken ill.

Health department sources said it took a particularly ugly turn in Gorakhpur, claiming 47 persons. Two hundred and twenty-one are fighting for survival.

Deora reported 13 deaths and 63 seizures. In Kushinagar district, the death toll was 30; 122 have fallen sick.

In Maharajganj, at least 16 persons have died. Over 106 are seriously ill.

Reports from Basti division said three died there; 10 have fallen sick.

In Sant Kabir Nagar and Siddharth Nagar, 28 each fell sick. Nine persons lost their lives.

The BRD medical college is the only hospital in the area treating the victims. Patients from the neighbouring Nepal and Bihar are also arriving for treatment.

Of the admitted, at least 20 are in serious condition, medical college sources said.

UNI

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