Mystery illness kills 2 children

GUJRAT: Two children have died and dozen others are said to be in critical condition after an alleged measles outbreak in Mohla Kalan Village, some seven kilometres from Gujrat, Daily Times learned on Wednesday.

While the measles report has been contradicted by health officials, they have been unable to agree on the cause of death. Deputy District Health Officer Dr Riaz Cheema said the children died from diarrhoea. He said that the department sent a team to the area to administer injections to the children and villagers were being briefed on sanitary measures.

Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Nazar Muhammed Gondal said the children died from complications from food poisoning because timely treatment was not provided to them.

Two-year-old Ali Husnain and six-year-old Muhammed Zaman, the sons of Fateh Muhammed, have died. Mr Muhammed’s third son has also been admitted to the hospital. Sources said more than a dozen of children have measles and are in critical condition at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital. Villagers said children have been falling ill for the last three days and the district health office sent a team to the site a few days ago. Health Executive District Officer Dr Talat Iqbal and District Health Officer Dr Inamul Haq were in Lahore for a meeting and were unavailable for comment. —Staff Report

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