At least 60 people have died due to encephalitis in the seven districts of north Bengal, state's Health Services director Biswaranjan Satpathy said. The region has been affected badly by the disease and the situation is 'alarming', Satpathy said.

The 60 people have died during the period between July 7 and 20, said Satpathy who chaired a meeting of chief medical officers health in north Bengal on Monday. A total of 344 people have been affected by the disease, he added.