Muzaffarpur, June 28: Heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours and the subsequent dip in temperature have put a check on the mystery disease that killed 44 children in the district over the past 10 days.

The doctors and other medical employees of Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) and Kejriwal Maternity Clinic have heaved a sigh of relief in the past 24 hours. While no new patient was admitted to SKMCH since yesterday, three persons suspected to be suffering from encephalitis have been admitted to Kejriwal Maternity Clinic.

SKMCH superintendent Dr G.K. Thakur said no new patient has been admitted to the hospital since yesterday. “The rain has put a check on new admissions as well as deaths of children afflicted with suspected encephalitis,” added Dr Thakur.

Kejriwal Maternity Clinic administrator B.B. Giri said no death has been reported at the clinic since yesterday. However, he hastened to add that three new suspected cases of encephalitis have been admitted to the clinic.

Kejriwal Maternity Clinic has so far discharged eight cured cases since yesterday. “Similarly, two ailing children have been discharged from SKMCH,” said Dr Thakur. At present, there were five suspected cases of encephalitis undergoing treatment at SKMCH, whereas the number of children undergoing treatment is high at Kejriwal Maternity Clinic. There were 10 patients admitted with suspected encephalitis undergoing treatment at the clinic.

District magistrate Santosh Kumar Mall said the official toll owing to encephalitis has touched 44. He added that the rainfall reduced the chances of admission of fresh cases of suspected encephalitis and halted the casualty figures.

Meanwhile, a host of paediatrics, including Dr Ram Gopal Jain, Dr Randhir Kumar and Dr Aarohi, have alerted the rural people on maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the surroundings.

Addressing a press conference organised by Cipla Pharmaceuticals Limited, Dr Jain said: “This is mainly a viral attack that chokes the functioning of the brain. The disease is triggered by excessive heat, high temperature and unhygienic conditions.” However, Dr Jain demanded that the state government take up extensive fogging of a chemical, maletheon, in vulnerable areas of the district and spray DDT to keep away mosquitoes and germs.”

Meanwhile, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee state president Mehboob Ali Quaiser inspected SKMCH and Kejriwal Maternity Clinic today. Quaiser, flanked by a host of Congress leaders, including Vinita Vijay, stayed an hour and met the attendants of the ailing children.

Later, Quaiser discussed measures to heal the wounds of ailing children with the attending doctors. The state Congress president said the state government should invite a team of clinical doctors, including paediatrics from reputed hospitals across the country, to involve them in treating the children.