Experts claim lychee caused death of 57 children in India

Bihar - 47 children have died in Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital while 10 succumbed at the private Kejriwal Hospital.

Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey on Friday said that as many as 57 children have died due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Muzaffarpur.
"In the last 20-22 days, 57 children have died due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES)," Pandey told media here. Out of the total number, 47 children have died in Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) while 10 succumbed at the private Kejriwal Hospital, Pandey said.
According to a Times of India report, some health experts linked the disease to a 'toxic substance' found in lychee which grows in abundance in Muzaffarpur.
"We are monitoring all this. The Health Ministry in the state held a meeting on this and decided to make people aware of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES)," the Health Minister shared.
"A team comprising of one professor, three associate professors, four assistant professors, nine senior residents and 15 junior residents are seeing this matter and looking after the children. We are providing more beds in both the hospitals for treatment," he added.
Encephalitis is a viral infection which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as high fever, convulsions, and headaches.

• India