Experts will sensitise the state’s medical fraternity this Saturday to prevent a repeat of last May when at least 186 children died while being treated for encephalitis. Around 468 children in Muzaffarpur had shown symptoms of acute encephalitis syndrome last year.

The health department has invited government doctors and paediatricians from encephalitis-prone districts of Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, East Champaran and West Champaran in Tirhut division to attend the April 20 programme where they would be told about proper dosage and necessary guidelines for treating children showing encephalitis symptoms.

Superintendent of Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital Dr G.K. Thakur is the nodal officer. Those coming to prepare the medical fraternity include assistant director of National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi, Dr Himanshu Chouhan, encephalitis specialist of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Pune, Dr B.R. Thapar and principal secretary, health, Vyasji. Health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey is scheduled to attend the event.

Muzaffarpur DM Anupam Kumar told The Telegraph: “Doctors from SKMCH, government sadar hospital and the Kejriwal Maternity Clinic, besides those deputed in PHCs would be given treatment tips.” Members of panchayati raj institutions, Asha workers and pulse polio teams are keeping tabs on children with symptoms. SHOs have been directed to take action against quacks who treat such cases.

SSP Saurav Kumar has sent wireless messages to the district’s 28 police stations and eight outposts to reach children with symptoms to hospitals in police vans and jeeps.