Balaghat mysterious fever outbreak (Img: Google)
Jabalpur: Eight children have died from a mysterious fever over the past two months in villages dominated by the Baiga tribal community within the Birsa development block of Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district. Seven children remain hospitalized. Initially, doctors tested for malaria, but the diagnosis was not confirmed. A team of experts from the state headquarters also visited the affected villages, yet the nature of the illness remains unidentified. Former Chief Ministers Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh have written to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, expressing their concern over the situation.
Reports indicate that the disease has had a significant impact on the Baiga-dominated villages of Kundeksa, Bondari, and Korka. Another child died on Tuesday night; however, the Health Department and district administration have officially confirmed six deaths. Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Paresh Upalap stated that by Wednesday, 93 children had recovered and been discharged from the district hospital, while seven remain under treatment.
Field staff from the Health Department are visiting homes to examine affected children. A temporary medical facility has been set up in Kundeksa, staffed by three doctors. The exact cause of the children's deaths will only be determined once the investigation reports are received.
