Central team in MP to probe kids' deaths

Union health ministry has sent a team of experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district to investigate the death of six children within a month due to kidney-related complications allegedly after consuming contaminated cough syrup, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

- Rhythma Kaul

The team from NCDC is collecting samples for testing, the people said, adding samples of syrups have also been collected by the state drugs authority and are currently being tested for contamination.

"The National Centre for Disease Control team has been sent to rule out the possibility of any infectious disease. Different agencies are currently involved in lifting and testing various samples such as water, entomological, drugs etc," an official said, requesting anonymity.

The test results are awaited, the official said. "All related test results will be shared with the state authorities for further analysis and action."

Six children died in the Chhindwara district between September 4 and September 26 due to renal failure allegedly after consuming the cough syrup. Neighbouring Rajasthan has also reported one death in Sikar district allegedly after consuming the syrup.