SILIGURI: One more person died of suspected encephalitis in the West Bengal district, taking the toll to 45 in the last 17 days, officials said.

Five more patients have been admitted with high fever. PIC/AFP

The latest death took place at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Darjeeling district on Friday night.

A delegation, including two experts from the School of Tropical Medicine (STM), Kolkata, visited NBMCH on Friday to ascertain the facts about the deaths purportedly caused by encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis syndromes.

The team also visited affected areas like Dhupguri, Maynaguri and Malbazar in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district yesterday.

NBMCH superintendent Amarendranath Sarkar said in the last 17 days, 45 people have died at the hospital because of acute encephalitis syndrome.

Five more patients have been admitted with high fever and encephalitis syndrome, while at least 36 people are undergoing treatment.