Investigation into illness among tribal children in Balaghat finds multiple clinical causes

The inquiry into the illness affecting tribal children in Balaghat revealed various clinical factors behind their conditions.

NEW DELHI: The Centre’s investigation into the illness cluster among tribal children in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat has found multiple clinical causes among reported deaths, including measles, malaria, co-infection, respiratory distress, dehydration, malnutrition, anaemia and shock. Officials said the deaths cannot currently be attributed to a single pathogen. Senior officials in the Union health ministry said 431 children have so far been admitted to health facilities, with 379 discharged and 52 still under treatment and observation. More than 32,000 people have been screened, with surveillance expanded from three villages to around 50. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) was deployed on August 12, following a national review on August 4 of the epidemiological situation, reported mortality, measles and malaria findings, laboratory strategy and containment measures. An independent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) team is also involved in the investigation. ICMR teams from Jabalpur and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, have been visiting affected areas. The investigation includes clinical and laboratory assessment, measles and malaria surveillance, mortality review and entomological investigations. Officials said several early deaths occurred at home or before patients reached an appropriate health facility, limiting the availability of clinical records and diagnostic specimens. A case-wise retrospective review, including verbal autopsies, is being undertaken. Meanwhile, 14,637 children aged 1-10 years have received an additional Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine dose. More than 600 drinking-water sources have been purified and insecticide spraying completed in 4,338 households.

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Six Mobile Medical Units have been deployed in Birsa and Baihar blocks, while more than 10 doctors and 10 Community Health Officers are working in the affected areas. Screening also found 7,711 children with severe acute malnutrition, of whom 518 were admitted to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres. Another 13,406 children with diarrhoea and 274 with severe pneumonia were identified and managed. The government said the situation is improving, with no new measles case reported in Balaghat in the past seven days. Surveillance and treatment continue, particularly in remote tribal and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) habitations.

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