Health Minister of Bihar Shri Mangal Pandey called on Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare at his residence, today.They discussed various health schemes operational in the State. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also reviewed the reported rise in cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) from Muzaffarpur and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) from Gaya in Bihar with Shri Mangal Pandey. Dr. Harsh Vardhan commended the State for decline in MMR.The Health Minister has directed the senior officers of the Health Ministry to discuss the situation with the State and districts authorities, particularly the recent rise in the cases and deaths in June from Muzzafarpur district.He has directed the Ministry to extend all support and assistance to the State government. "The Health Ministry is coordinating with Ministry of Women and Child Development for distribution of nutritious food with glucose in the meals to prevent development of AES", Dr Harsh Vardhan said.The Health Minister is closely monitoring the situation in the affected districts and shall visit Bihar at an appropriate time in the future to review AES cases and the central health schemes in the State.From January 2019 till the 8th of June, altogether 48 cases of AES have been reported with 11 deaths in the state of Bihar.