Patna, Dec 23 (IANS): Suspected encephalitis, which causes irritation and swelling of the brain, claimed the lives of two more children in Bihar's Araria district Monday, taking toll to seven in last four days, officials said.

Araria district magistrate Ajay Kumar Choudhury said that two more children succumbed to the disease and two other children are critical in hospital with similar symptoms.

According to district health officials, the latest death of two children was reported from Belwa panchayat area near Araria town.

Araria Civil Surgeon B.K. Thakur said that last week five children died of the disease.

Choudhury said preventive measures have been undertaken on war footing since last week following the deaths of the five children.

A team of health experts from Patna visited the affected village in Araria three days ago following the directive of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to check the spread of the disease.

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain resulting either from a viral infection or when the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the brain tissue.

Till now, over three dozens children have died of the disease this year in the state.

Last year, the disease killed nearly 240 children in Muzaffarpur and Gaya districts.