Encephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections. It is caused mainly due to contaminated food and water, mosquito tick and other insect bites.
The highest number of deaths is in Uttar Pradesh- 347. While around 54 children were dead in Bihar, thousands of cases were reported in the past three months.
Officials said the main areas where the outbreak of the virus has been noticed have been poor, flood-hit areas of the region, where this year's monsoons have left pools of stagnant water that have allowed mosquitoes to breed and infect villagers.
The floods have also contaminated the water in wells and the villagers are forced to use the same water for drinking purpose. This further aggravated the situation.
The infection spreads every year in impoverished parts of Uttar Pradesh during the monsoon season, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
