ANAND S.T. DAS A frightening spread of encephalitis and cerebral malaria in Bihar's northern and southern districts has killed at least 69 children since July first week, underlining what health experts and Opposition leaders have termed as insufficient medical facilities, poverty and lack of hygiene in the state's rural belts. While Bihar's southern district of Munger -- particularly Haveli Kharagpur sub-division and Dharhara block -- has reported the death of about 30 children from cerebral malaria sine July first week, encephalitis has caused the death of at least 39 children from the state's northern districts such as Vaishali, Muzaffarpur and Patna between July 26 and August 3 at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Encephalitis is caused by a viral infection that affects the brain and spinal chords while cerebral malaria is caused by mosquito bites. Neither disease is fatal if treated in time.