MUZAFFARGARH:
At least nine children have died and 11 others are in critical condition due to a disease that spread in a settlement near Muzaffargarh over the past month, prompting intervention by the district administration.
According to sources, the deaths occurred at Basti Pull Pir Ashab, near Pir Jahanian in Dinpur. The deceased children, aged between one and a half and six years, reportedly developed facial swelling and high fever before succumbing two days later.
Among them were Dilshan, 6, Saghir, 4, Inam, 3, Rehan, 1, Zain Ali, 6, Najid Ali, 4, Sajida, 3, Saqlain, 2 and Afshan, one and a half years old. Three of the deaths were reported over the past three days, sparking fear among residents.
Upon receiving information about the matter, Muzaffargath Deputy Commissioner (DC) Usman Tahir Jappa directed health authorities to respond promptly. Health department teams led by district deputy health director along with district central hospital staff reached the affected area.
The teams collected the medical records of the deceased children and examined the affected minors.
The 11 seriously ill children were shifted to the DHQ hospital, while others were receiving treatment locally.
Health department sources said preliminary results had indicated that a viral form of pneumonia was the cause of most of the deaths, adding that the remaining children had also been diagnosed with pneumonia.
