Encephalitis deaths: SC issues notice to Centre, Bihar govt; to file response within 7 days

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response within seven days from the Centre and Bihar government on the issue of the deaths of more than 100 children in Muzaffarpur due to the outbreak of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and B R Gavai directed the Bihar government to file an affidavit on the adequacy of medical facilities, nutrition and sanitation and the hygiene conditions in the state. During the hearing, one of the lawyers informed the court that similar deaths had occurred earlier in Uttar Pradesh.