Encephalitis kills eight more children in Bihar

Eight more children have succumbed to encephalitis in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, taking the total deaths in the state since early May to 31, officials said Monday.

Two of the children died Tuesday.

A district health official said: "It is an alarming situation as the disease continue to kill children."

Muzaffarpur civil surgeon Gayan Bhushan said doctors and health experts were eagerly awaiting the onset of monsoon as the rains are likely to slowdown the spread of the disease.

Monsoon is likely to enter Bihar June 11 or 12.

Over a dozen children were warded in government hospitals and private nursing homes in Muzaffarpur, about 70 km from here.

The symptoms of this mosquito-borne disease include high fever, irritation and swelling in the brain.

Sex worker elected twice as ward councillor in Muzaffarpur

A sex worker turned politician and was twice elected as the ward councillor of Bihar's Muzaffarpur district. Rani Begum has now put her past behind and is working towards a better future for people like her. "Initially, I faced difficulties working in the society. But gradually, when people saw my work they starting accepting me," Rani Begum said.

With determination and an unrelenting spirit, Rani Begum has exorcised her past ghosts, mostly following her marriage to a local resident. Begum, who also has two children from him, is now trying to improve the lives of others like her.

Rani Begum is grateful to her friends who funded her political plunge. Now she ensures that their voices and issues are heard. Rani today is the voice of more than 20,000 residents of the area, mostly sex workers or pimps. It's because of her initiative that slowly the lives of residents are also changing for good.

Rani Begum has started vocational programs for kids, especially the girl child so that they are not sucked into this profession. Though she lost the race of becoming the lady mayor of the city, she has certainly made a place for herself in the hearts of its people.

Cold wave, icy winds grip Bihar

A cold wave has gripped Bihar with icy winds sweeping across many parts of the state. Dense fog has also led to several long distance trains running late, officials said Sunday.

Most of the schools were to reopen after winter vacations Monday but the Patna district administration has extended the holidays by two days due to the cold wave.

People in rural areas also faced intense chill due to icy westerly winds blowing across the state.

Muzaffarpur district recorded a minimum temperature of 6 degrees Celsius Sunday morning while it was 7 degrees in Purnea and Kishanganj.

An official at the meteorological department here said Patna district recorded 8.8 degrees Celsius and added that the cold wave would continue in the coming days.

"There will be no respite from the cold wave. The westerlies blowing will keep the weather cold for the next two days at least," the official said.

Heavy fog and poor visibility have also delayed long route trains, officials said.

While most people preferred to stay indoors, the poor were seen huddled around fires to keep themselves warm in the cloudy, foggy weather. link

Nitish for Virology lab in Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today urged the Centre to set up a virology laboratory in the state for ensuring quick test of swine-flu samples in the wake of nation-wide panic over the disease.

"The Centre must set up a virology lab in Bihar in the wake of panic over the disease," Kumar said here.

Kumar said he would speak to Union Health and Family Welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for approving the state's proposal for the lab.

Swine flu alert has already been sounded in Bihar, Kumar said, adding there was no no cause for panic.

A Central team had already visited Bihar to review the state's preparedness to tackle the disease.

The state Health department had launched an awareness campaign and mass contact drive to educate people about the swine flu.

A team of health officials were camping at Saraiya block in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district where it was suspected that a labourer Suraj Prakash, who returned home from Pune, was afflicted by the disease, sources said, adding if required, Prakash would be brought to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital for check up and treatment.link