Bhopal, August 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Congress has claimed that nine children have died amid an illness outbreak in Baiga-dominated villages of Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district, where hundreds of people have reportedly fallen ill since June 26.
The district administration and health authorities, however, have so far reported the hospitalisation of 100 children suffering from various ailments, with 93 having recovered. Officials have not yet established the exact cause of the illnesses or confirmed the number of deaths.
Balaghat Chief Medical and Health Officer Paresh Uplap said affected children had displayed symptoms associated with multiple infections, including those resembling malaria and scabies, along with signs of nutritional deficiencies.
“The children who died and those who have been hospitalised have shown symptoms of multiple infections, including those similar to malarial fever and scabies skin infection, besides signs of nutritional deficiencies,” Uplap said.
Blood and water samples from the affected areas have been sent to specialised laboratories, including an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) institution in Kolkata and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. Authorities are awaiting the test results to determine the cause of the outbreak.
The affected villages include Machhurda, Adori, Bondari, Korka and Kundekasa, where illnesses have reportedly persisted for nearly 40 days. Kundekasa is among the worst-hit areas, prompting the administration to establish a temporary health centre at a government school.
According to the health department, reported illnesses include malaria, typhoid, fungal and other skin infections, scabies, measles, fever, cold and cough, dehydration and other ailments.
To contain the situation, authorities have deployed 20 survey teams, 10 medical officers and four ambulances for door-to-door screening, treatment and transportation of patients.
The administration said eight additional children were taken to hospital on Wednesday as a precautionary measure. As of Thursday evening, 15 children were undergoing treatment, with their condition described as normal and satisfactory.
Officials said the situation was under control and surveillance was continuing across the affected villages.
The outbreak has also highlighted concerns over access to healthcare, malnutrition, sanitation and the challenges of delivering medical services in remote tribal settlements.
The Congress has maintained that nine children have died and has intensified its response to the situation. Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar is scheduled to meet the families who lost their children in Balaghat on Friday.
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