2 more kids die in Malda, swab being sent to Kol

Kolkata: Two more babies died at Malda Medical College and Hospital in the past 24 hours, taking the toll to five. A nine-month-old child, Asma Khatun from Jharkhand, who was hospitalized with fever on Thursday evening, died at night. Deb Mandal, a six-month-old baby from Bhutni, died of fever on Friday morning.
Fifty-seven children have been admitted to the hospital in the past 24 hours, making it 181 in total.All their swab samples are being sent to Kolkata to identify the cause of fever. Principal of the medical college, Partha Pratim Mukhopadhyay, said, “Many of the children have pneumonia and some are in critical stage.” Pleading not to panic, he added, “We are trying to find out the nature of the virus responsible for the fever. The situation is still under control. If need be, a new fever unit will be opened.” An expert committee is going to visit medical colleges of North Bengal.