Nine children have died in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district within just over two weeks, all due to kidney failure. What began as normal seasonal fever cases has now turned into a major health crisis, with officials suspecting contaminated cough syrup as the cause.
Health officials in both Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring Rajasthan have raised concerns after a similar death was reported in Sikar a few days ago. Authorities believe that cough syrups containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide may be linked to the organ failures.
Chhindwara Children Death Case: Parasia Sub-divisional Magistrate Shubham Yadav confirmed late night on Thursday that nine children have died in Chhindwara. Six of these deaths had already been reported by October 1.
He added that precautionary steps are being taken across the district. Following the deaths, the distribution of the suspected cough syrups has been stopped, and urgent testing of different batches is underway.
Currently, around 1,420 children suffering from fever, cold, and flu-like symptoms are under close medical watch. A special protocol has been introduced: if a child remains sick for more than two days, they are kept under six hours of observation at the Civil Hospital. If their condition worsens, they are shifted to the District Hospital. Once they recover, ASHA workers continue home monitoring.
Authorities revealed that water and mosquito-related tests conducted on the victims returned normal. One sample sent to the National Institute of Virology was also normal, they added. Water samples sent for testing by CSIR are awaited.
Among the nine children who died, at least five had a history of taking Coldref, and one had taken Nextro syrup.
To prevent further risks, private doctors have been directed not to treat viral cases independently. Instead, they must immediately refer such patients to the Civil Hospital.
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has stepped in and collected water and drug samples from hospitals and affected areas in both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. These samples will be tested to rule out infectious diseases and confirm whether contaminated cough syrup is to blame. The results will later be shared with state drug authorities.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) has already banned 19 batches of the syrup. Health departments have also issued advisories to parents, doctors, and medical operators, urging them to remain alert and avoid risky medicines.
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