The dreaded Japanese encephalitis continued its killing spree in eastern Uttar Pradesh claiming 14 more lives overnight bringing the death toll to 573 even as intensive fogging was on to check the spread of the disease.

As many as 81 fresh cases were reported in seven districts, Additional Director Health D P Mishra said adding that in all, 23 divisions in the state were in the grip of the disease.

Gorakhpur was the worst-hit accounting for 121 fatalities followed by Kushinagar 117, Maharganj 112 and Deoria 58.

Fogging of rural and urban areas was on to contain the disease, which has taken an epidemic form, a health department official said.