At least 19 children have died of Japanese Encephalitis and high fever while 37 others are still undergoing treatment in Gaya town during the past 20 days, officials said.

The children who were brought here for treatment are from Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada and the neighbouring district Chatra in Jharkhand died during the period in paediatric ward, A N Sinha Medical College Hospital's superintendent Sitaram Prasad said.

The blood samples so far revealed that nine of the children who died were suffering from Japanese encephalitis, but others too who succumbed had identical symptoms and their blood samples were sent for examination, he said.

Prasad said around 63 children were admitted to the hospital with high fever since August 23.

He confirmed that 37 others were still being treated at the hospital.

In June this year, around 60 children had died of the mystery disease in Muzaffarpur.