Patna, May 4: The state would soon get a National Institute of Virology as the Centre has approved the government’s memorandum of understanding in this regard.

Health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey announced this today while addressing a news meet on the effects of Japanese encephalitis and acute encephalitis syndrome in 16 districts of the state. He said one of the 13 child patients with acute encephalitis syndrome, has died in Muzaffarpur in the past week.

To prevent death of children from these diseases, the state has directed the officials to carry out a vaccination drive for Japanese encephalitis and an awareness drive to combat the menace of acute encephalitis syndrome in Muzaffarpur.

“We couldn’t find the virus that causes acute encephalitis syndrome. So, we have decided to create an awareness campaign through accredited social health activists, anganwadi and polio team workers and NGOs. They would make people aware of the possible symptoms and preventive measures,” Choubey said.

He announced that children with acute encephalitis syndrome or Japanese encephalitis would be given free medicines and other facilities at Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital and Kejriwal Hospital.

Some of the affected districts are Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Sheohar and Patna.