Surankote (Poonch), Mar 22: At least six children have reportedly died due to outbreak of a mysterious disease in a remote village of this border district.
 Reports said that the epidemic has spread in the Phaglla village of Surankote infecting more than two dozen children in last three days.
 Though officials confirmed the death of only four children, the locals claimed that six of them have lost their lives so far, while condition of some others is critical.
 The village is situated 16 kms from Poonch and sans road connectivity. The district administration has dispatched a team of doctors and para-medics to the village to take stock of the situation but there was no confirmation about the nature of the disease.
 “At least six children have died so far due to the mysterious disease in last 48 hours”, Wiladat Hussain, Saparanch of the area told Greater Kashmir over phone.
 He claimed that a local resident Bashir Ahmed lost his two children—2 year old Riyaz Ahmed and 5 year old Parveen Akhtar. Similarly, two children of another local Muhammad Akbar identified as Shazia and Arraz, also lost their lives due to the epidemic, he said.
 He identified the other two deceased children as Jameel Ahmed son of Khadim Hussain and Arshad son of Manzoor Hussain.
 The Sarpanch claimed that over 100 children in the village and its adjoining areas have been infected and are suffering from severe fever and skin irritation.
 Block Medical Officer of the area, who was camping in the village, confirmed death of four children. He said that a team of doctors has been constituted by the department and all the pediatricians serving in various hospitals of the district have been directed to report in Surankote hospital.
 When contacted, DDC Poonch Ajeet Kumar Sahu also confirmed death of four children saying the disease has been preliminary identified as Measles.
 “Due to the outbreak of measles in some areas of Surankote, 4 children have lost their lives, while 14 others were badly affected”, the DDC said adding, “high alert has been sounded in the area to control the spread of the diseases”.
 He said that a team of doctors has been sent to the area and all health institutions have been directed to ensure Measles vaccination to all the children of the area. “All this is being done on war footing”, the DDC said.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST