New Delhi: The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and state drug regulators have launched a joint investigation into the recent deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, which have been linked to the consumption of a locally manufactured cough syrup.
According to official sources, six children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district reportedly died of kidney failure after consuming the syrup. In Rajasthan’s Sikar district, one child also died under similar circumstances. Preliminary findings have prompted a ban on 19 batches of the syrup by the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation (RMSCL), while advisories have been issued to parents, doctors, and medical professionals to exercise caution.
A team from the NCDC has collected drug, water, and entomological samples to rule out other causes, including infectious or vector-borne diseases. Drug samples are currently being tested by the respective State Drug Authorities, and reports are awaited.
Chhindwara District Magistrate Sheelendra Singh confirmed on Tuesday that all six child deaths were recorded between September 4 and the present. “No new cases have emerged in the last two days,” Singh told. “The administration remains alert, and the health department is actively investigating the issue with expert support.”
Additional measures have been taken on the ground. A Rapid Response and Diagnosis (RRD) team from Bhopal is assisting local health authorities. Medical and pharmaceutical experts are also reviewing the formulation and safety of the syrup in question, which is produced by a Jaipur-based pharmaceutical company.
Teams are also probing potential viral, bacterial, or vector-borne causes. High-level officials from both Delhi and Bhopal are involved in the investigation.
A coordination meeting involving pediatricians, medical college professors, and district hospital doctors was convened to assess the situation and ensure that necessary precautions are being implemented.
Authorities have assured the public that the situation is under close watch, and steps are being taken to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.
