Bhopal: The death of six children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district in September and a recent fatal case in Rajasthan has forced a thorough investigation into the suspected role of cough syrups.
A central team from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has collected samples from Chhindwara district as part of the probe into deaths and illnesses of children.
Urgent testing of dextromethorphan hydrobromide syrup batches are being conducted in Rajasthan, even as its distribution has been halted across the state. It follows the death of a five-year-old boy in Sikar after consuming cough syrup supplied under the state’s free medicine scheme, and also the serious illness of a three-year-old in Bharatpur who took the same syrup.
In Madhya Pradesh, the six deaths are from suspected kidney infections after the children were reportedly administered two types of similar syrups.
Consequently, Coldrif and Nextro-DS Syrups have been banned by the district administration.
Multiple samples, including water, entomological and drug samples, are being analysed to check the possibility of infectious diseases.
The quality of the cough syrup has become the central focus of investigation.
Test results from the State Drug Testing Laboratories are pending.
Dr Naresh Gunnade, acting Chief Medical and Health Officer of Chhindwara, informed that the first suspected case was recorded on August 24, and the first death on September 7. Initial symptoms reported were high fever and difficulty in urinating.