Death toll from 'brain fever' outbreak in India reaches up to 152

As many as 152 children are feared to have died amid the ongoing 'brain fever' outbreak in India, reports have claimed.

Youngsters in Muzaffarpur, in the north-eastern state of Bihar, are succumbing to encephalitis, which occurs when the brain becomes inflamed. 

Bihar, which is in the midst of a record-breaking heatwave, is home to 100million people and is one of India's poorest states. 

The 'completely curable' disease is said to have been triggered by dehydration and malnutrition, with some reports even linking it to lychee fruit.

India's highest court has now ordered an investigation into the central and state governments, after a petition accused them of 'inaction'.

An unnamed Indian child is pictured on June 20 being treated for encephalitis at Kejriwal hospital in Muzaffarpur in the north-eastern state of Bihar. Up to 152 youngsters have died

An unnamed Indian child is pictured on June 20 being treated for encephalitis at Kejriwal hospital in Muzaffarpur in the north-eastern state of Bihar. Up to 152 youngsters have died

The outbreak is occurring in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, which is home to 100million people and is one of India's poorest states. The city is 370miles (600km) north of Kolkata, formerly Calcutta

The outbreak is occurring in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, which is home to 100million people and is one of India's poorest states. The city is 370miles (600km) north of Kolkata, formerly Calcutta

An Indian woman is pictured mourning the loss of a child named Muskan Sahni, who died at the government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur on June 19

An Indian woman is pictured mourning the loss of a child named Muskan Sahni, who died at the government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur on June 19

Different reports vary in their death tolls, with mortality rates coming in at 152, 129 and 122. 

Sanjiv Khanna, a Supreme Court judge, said: 'We [have] issue[d] notice to the Bihar government seeking a detailed response.'

This was in response to a petition filed by the activist-lawyer Manohar Pratap.

Petitions, which are known as public-interest litigations, are a common way for citizens to pressure state and national governments into action.

A copy of the petition, which Reuters claims to have seen, called encephalitis 'completely curable'.

It added the 'lives of young children are being lost due to the inaction of the state machinery'.

And 'most of the deaths are occurring due to lack of medical facilities in the area of outbreak'. 

Muzaffarpur is around 370miles (600km) north of Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta.

The Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in the city has been trying to treat patients but is reportedly struggling to cope with the demand.

One doctor said most patients are semi-conscious by the time they reach the hospital, which is 'ill-equipped' to handle so many of them.

Health official Ashok Kumar Singh claimed most victims are suffering from sudden and fatal drops in their blood-sugar levels. 

India's health ministry reiterated today it would open a 100-bed children's ward in Muzaffarpur.

It first made this promise after a similar outbreak in the area killed 350 children in 2014. 

India is the world's sixth largest economy, with major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai being home to quality hospitals. 

A man is pictured sleeping next to his daughter on June 20 while she battles encephalitis at a hospital in Muzaffarpur. The disease occurs when the brain becomes inflamed

A man is pictured sleeping next to his daughter on June 20 while she battles encephalitis at a hospital in Muzaffarpur. The disease occurs when the brain becomes inflamed

The run-down Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital, where children have died from encephalitis , is pictured. Hospitals in the area reportedly smell of urine in their corridors

The run-down Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital, where children have died from encephalitis , is pictured. Hospitals in the area reportedly smell of urine in their corridors

Relatives visit a child with encephalitis at a hospital in Muzaffarpur on June 20

Relatives visit a child with encephalitis at a hospital in Muzaffarpur on June 20

The father of four-year-old encephalitis-sufferer Khushbu Kumari is pictured carrying his son into a Kejriwal hospital on June 20. The family then went to another hospital in the area

The father of four-year-old encephalitis-sufferer Khushbu Kumari is pictured carrying his son into a Kejriwal hospital on June 20. The family then went to another hospital in the area

However, treatment centres in Muzzafarpur are in a poor condition and frequently have power cuts. 

One hospital, which was visited by a Reuters journalist, reportedly smelt

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