The Bihar government has sought Centre's help in fighting Japanese Encephalitis which has taken a virulent form in Gaya and adjoining districts. The State Health Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey told AIR that the Bihar Government has written a letter to the Centre in this regard.

He said, unless all the kids in the district are vaccinated, it will be very difficult to control the spread of Japanese Encephalitis. Mr. Choubey said though Japanese Encephalitis vaccination had been made a part of routine immunization in Gaya, Its coverage in the district is very poor.

AIR Patna Correspondent reports that 386 cases of Japanese Encephalitis have been reported from different parts of Gaya in the last six months. Of them,85 have succumbed to their injuries, while 28 fresh cases have been admitted in different hospitals .

Two- to -three new patients are admitting in local hospitals every day. Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain resulting either from a viral infection or when the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks brain tissue. The children reported high fever, followed by bouts of unconsciousness and convulsions.

Meanwhile the Patna High Court has asked the state government to submit a detailed report on measures taken to control encephalitis cases. The Bihar government has to file its reply within two weeks.