Monsoon comes with the misery of encephalitis, every year.

Doctors in the district, which has already witnessed 15 reported cases, have cautioned people to ensure a ring of protection around the children, who are most vulnerable to the disease.

At least seven have lost lives this season — encephalitis usually strikes between May and August — in the city alone. Several cases of encephalitis — 61 are admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital and another us being treated at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital — have also been referred to the city.

Patna civil surgeon Lakhendra Prasad said: “We have asked all the 395 functional sub health centres, 23 primary health centres, 60 primary health centres, four divisional medical hospitals to keep sufficient stock of paracetamol, ORS and intravenous fluid, necessary in the treatment of encephalitis patients. While paracetamol is given to them to control fever, ORS and intravenous fluid are administered to control convulsions.”

The two medical colleges also set up separate wards in their paediatrics units for encephalitis patients, as the disease hits only children aged between one and 15 years. Prasad added: “We have asked medical officers in charge of the primary health centres to keep tabs on new cases of encephalitis. There is a quick response team for encephalitis patients comprising two doctors, one auxiliary nurse midwife and one pharmacist. We have also asked nursing homes to inform us if they find any case. Also, we have made free ambulance arrangement for encephalitis patients. One has to dial either 102 or 108 to avail the free ambulance services.”

He added that cases are also pouring in the city from other districts, including Aurangabad, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Gaya, Gopalganj, Jehanabad and Jamui.

PMCH superintendent Amar Kant Jha Amar echoed Prasad: “Most of the referred cases we got were in critical condition.”