Team sent to conduct door-to-door tests to ascertain facts: Health Dept Official

Srinagar: A girl has died even as her two brothers are battling for life of some ‘unascertained cause’ in Mawar Bala village in Handwara in north-Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

News agency GNS reported that Mehfooza Bano (5), Zakir Ahmad Lone (8) and Aamir Ahmad Lone (3) children of Mohammad Akbar Lone fell ill two days before. The trio was removed to NTPHC Qalamabad for treatment, however the minor girl was declared dead on arrival by the doctors there. The two siblings after administration of treatment were later on referred to District Hospital Handwara, where both of them are said to be in critical condition.

GNS quoted medical officer NTPHC Qalamabad Dr Burhan confirming the death of the 5-year-old girl saying that the minor was brought dead on arrival to the health facility.

“She had been suffering from vomiting and diarrhea for the last two days, however the family didn’t sought any medical help and instead resorted to traditional way of treatment” the medical officer said, adding that her two brothers are currently being treated at DH Handwara.

Asked about the cause of the eventuality, the medical officer said that a team of doctors is there to ascertain the facts and cause adding “it may be even some water-borne disease”.

A Health Department official at Langate Abdul Ahad Qureshi said the cause of the occurrence remains unascertained as of now. “A team led by Dr. Qaiser is there to conduct door-to-door tests to rule out the possibility of any further outbreak of the disease,” the official said.

“Till now we are oblivious of the fact that whether it is water-borne disease or not, once the cause is ascertained the details will be shared accordingly”, the official added. (GNS)