July 14, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1424

NEW DELHI, July 13: At least 179 children died of a mysterious fever in two Indian states, it was reported Sunday.

The deaths were first reported earlier this month in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. With 65 additional deaths over the weekend, the toll is now 150, the Star News channel reported.

The virus has spread to the western state of Maharastra, where the toll on Saturday reached 29.

All the victims were below 12 years and suffered from high fever, convulsions, diarrhoea and headaches. Most died within 8 to 10 hours.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu told reporters earlier the deaths had baffled doctors, as only three tested positive for Japanese encephalitis, a disease transmitted by a particular type of mosquito.

Officials at the National Institute of Communicable Disease said they do not have any “clear answers” on what the virus is. Test results based on throat swabs are expected in another 10 days.—dpa