Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh: The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has dispatched a team of experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district following the deaths of six children due to kidney-related complications between September 4 and September 26, allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrup. One similar death was reported in Rajasthan’s Sikar district.
Officials said the NCDC team is collecting samples for testing, while the State Drugs Authority has also seized and tested samples for possible contamination. “The NCDC team has been sent to rule out any infectious disease. Various agencies are testing water, drugs, and entomological samples,” an official, who requested anonymity, said. Test results are awaited and will be shared with state authorities for further analysis and action.
In Rajasthan, the Medical Services Corporation has banned the sale and use of 19 batches of the syrup. The state health department has issued advisories urging parents, doctors, and medical operators to remain vigilant.
Chhindwara District Magistrate Sheelendra Singh told ANI that the fatalities were reported starting September 4, with no new cases since. “We have taken extra precautions regarding viruses and bacteria. A Rapid Response and Diagnosis (RRD) team has arrived from Bhopal,” he said. Singh added that experts are reviewing the combination of medicines and investigating vector-borne diseases. Officials from Delhi and Bhopal are actively assisting the district administration in the probe.
