The deaths were reported from two hospitals in Bihar state's Muzaffarpur district, famed for its lush lychee orchards, officials said. The children all showed symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), senior health official Ashok Kumar Singh told AFP, adding most had suffered a sudden loss of glucose in their blood. "The health department has already issued an advisory for people to take care of their children during the hot summer when day temperature is above 40°C Singh said. At least 40 other children complaining of similar symptoms were being treated at intensive care units. In 2015, US researchers had said the brain disease could be linked to a toxic substance found in the exotic fruit.

Source: Dhaka Tribune June 12, 2019 09:30 UTC