Nineteen children undergoing treatment after consuming the contaminated ColdRef cough syrup have died so far, according to the Health Department of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation.
The affected children were brought from Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh to hospitals in Nagpur after their health deteriorated. Dr. Deepak Selokar, Medical Health Officer of Nagpur Municipal Corporation, confirmed that 19 children have died, reportedly due to multiple organ failure.
The Union Health Ministry’s report revealed that samples of ColdRef cough syrup contained excessive levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic chemical commonly used in industrial products, which can cause severe kidney damage in children. The incident has sparked alarm after several child deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan following the consumption of the allegedly contaminated syrup.
Subsequent investigations confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol in the syrup samples. In response, state governments have immediately halted the sale of the product, while the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has launched inspections of pharmaceutical companies across six states.
Dr. Selokar further stated that a team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, will arrive in Nagpur to investigate the entire case.
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