Shivpuri: Four children from one family die within 10 days of mysterious illness

Four children from a single family in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh have died within a 10-day period following a visit to the Gora Tila waterfall near the Sindh River. The victims include three brothers and one cousin.

The children reportedly fell ill after bathing in the river on August 16. Symptoms across all cases were remarkably similar, beginning with high fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed by a rapid decline in platelet counts and, in some instances, multiple organ failure.

Initial medical investigations for malaria, dengue, and COVID-19 have returned negative results. The Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr. Sanjay Rishishwar, stated that the deaths appear to be caused by a serious infection, though the exact cause remains unknown. Health officials have collected blood samples from other family members and initiated surveillance in the area while awaiting laboratory reports.