MUZAFFARGARH:
At least nine children have died and 11 others are in critical condition due to a disease that has spread in a village near Muzaffargarh over the past month, prompting the district administration to intervene.
According to sources, the deaths occurred at Basti Pull Pir Ashab near Pir Jahanian in Dinpur. The deceased children, aged one and a half to six years, reportedly developed facial swelling and a high fever before succumbing within two days.
They included Dilshan, 6, Saghir, 4, Inam, 3, Rehan, 1, Zain Ali, 6, Najid Ali, 4, Sajida, 3, Saqlain, 2, and Afshan, 1 and a half years old. Three of the deaths were reported in the past three days, sparking fear among residents.
After receiving information regarding this, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Muzaffargath Usman Tahir Jappa asked the health authorities to respond quickly. The health department teams led by the deputy district health officer along with staff of the district headquarters hospital have reached the affected area.
The teams established the medical files of the deceased children and examined the minors concerned.
The 11 seriously ill children were transferred to the DHQ hospital, while others were being treated locally.
Health ministry sources said preliminary results indicated that a viral form of pneumonia was the cause of most of the deaths, adding that the other sick children were also diagnosed with pneumonia.
