A mysterious fever has claimed at least 23 lives in Karimnagar and an undetermined number in Nizamabad and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh in the past fortnight.

In Nizamabad, six children below 12 years died due to viral meningitis at the district headquarters hospital in the last five days.

At least four children have died in the Jaggaiahpet region of Krishna district since Saturday last, due to the mysterious fever. The outbreak of the fever was reported from Makkapeta and Gopinenipalem Tanda villages, near Jaggaiahpet. The children were aged between five and eight years. Five children, who were in a critical condition, have been rushed to the Government General Hospital in Vijayawada.

According to reports from Karimnagar, tension prevailed at the Karimnagar Civil Hospital as six more children succumbed to the mysterious fever on Tuesday.

Heart-rending scenes were witnessed in the hospital as the ailing children died like birds one after the other within a span of five hours. Parents and relatives were up in arms against alleged neglect of their children by the doctors.

In-charge Collector M Dhana Kishore rushed to the hospital and promised the agitated parents that a magisterial inquiry would be ordered into the negligence charge. Transport Minister M Damodar Reddy and Principal Secretary, Health, Chaya Ratan, visited the hospital on Tuesday. The situation is grim in the district with several such mystery fever cases being reported. Almost all children's hospitals are full with patients suffering from the mystery fever.

Out of a total of 28 children admitted to the district hospital, 16 died while undergoing treatment and the condition of two is reported to be critical. Four cases had been referred to Hyderabad.

Health Department officials and doctors, while confirming six deaths in Nizamabad, maintained that no fresh cases had been reported after June 28. The six children were admitted at the district hospital with high fever and bouts of fits before they fell unconscious. They died within hours of admission.

Doctors are puzzled as the children have symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis (brain fever). Normally, brain fever does not break out during this season. Children with symptoms of high fever, convulsions, vomiting etc. are succumbing within 24 hours. The doctors, who are awaiting reports from the Institute of Virology, suspect the outbreak of Enteroencephalitis as the fever is affecting the central nervous system.