Four children from same family visited a waterfall in MP's Shivpuri. 10 days later, all died after fever, vomiting: What happened?

Four children from the same family, including three minors, died within 10 days after falling ill following a visit to a waterfall near Gora Tila in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri, officials said on Wednesday. The health department has started an investigation, while the exact cause of the deaths is yet to be established, a PTI report stated.

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The four children had similar symptoms, beginning with fever and followed by stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Their conditions deteriorated rapidly. Family members and local residents suspect that contaminated water at the waterfall could be linked to the illness, although officials have not confirmed this.


The family said the children had bathed at the waterfall on August 16. The deaths occurred between August 21 and August 31.

Health department begins investigation

A health department team visited the affected family on Tuesday and collected samples from family members. Officials are examining the children's medical and treatment records along with test reports to determine what caused their deaths.

District Chief Medical Officer Dr Sanjay Rishishwar also visited the family. He said preliminary findings indicated that an infection could have been responsible.

"The children's platelet counts dropped rapidly. In one child's case, the condition became so severe that multiple organs failed. Samples have been taken from all family members. Only after the test results are received will a clear conclusion be drawn regarding the actual cause of death," he said.

The autopsies of the four children have not yet been conducted, according to officials.

Three brothers among those who died

Three of the victims were sons of Tanveer Ahmed, who lives in the area under the Physical Police Station in Shivpuri. Ahmed's 14-year-old son, Tahir, was the first to fall ill. According to family members, he developed a fever on August 18 and later suffered from vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain.

His condition worsened and he was admitted to a hospital. He died two days later. Family members said his platelet count had fallen rapidly during treatment.

Cousin dies after being shifted to Gwalior

The family was then hit by another death when Ayaz, the 19-year-old son of Ahmed's sister, fell ill. Ayaz was initially admitted to Shivpuri District Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to Gwalior for treatment. He died on August 23, according to his relatives. Family members said tests conducted during his treatment showed an infection.

Two more brothers die on August 31

Ahmed's two younger sons, Taruf, 9, and Tasif, 11, subsequently developed fever. Their health deteriorated despite hospital treatment. Taruf died on the morning of August 31. His elder brother Tasif died later the same day.

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The deaths of four members of the same family in a short period have raised concern among relatives and local residents. They have sought a detailed investigation by the administration and health department.

Officials said the investigation will continue after the test results are received. The department is also examining the medical records and treatment history of the children to establish the cause of the deaths.

(Source: PTI)