DHAKA: At least 60 people have died due to encephalitis in the seven districts of north Bengal, India’s Health Services Director Biswaranjan Satpathy said.

The region has been affected badly by the disease and the situation is 'alarming'.

The 60 people have died during the period between July 7 and 20, said Satpathy who chaired a meeting of chief medical officers health in north Bengal on Monday. A total of 344 people have been affected by the disease, he added.

The situation had assumed 'alarming proportions' as 24 of the 60 dead had fallen prey to Japanese encephalitis, he said, adding that the North Bengal Medical College does not have facilities to test other forms of encephalitis.

Jalpaiguri district is the worst hit and Dhupguri and Moynaguri rural areas the most affected because of the large number of piggeries from where Japanese encephalitis spread.

Source: ndtv.com

BDST: 0929 HRS, JUL 22, 2014