Mystery fever kills 24 children as sudden deadly outbreak sweeps through India

A second fever is spreading through northern India after eight children died in Palwal, Haryana, just hours after falling ill as health official launch a medical investigation

Worried health officials are frantically search for answers after 24 children died suddenly in India after contracting a mystery fever.

Eight of the tragic youngsters died within hours of falling ill in northern India, it has been reported.

Medics in Palwal, Haryana have failed to clarify the cause of the killer fever and have launched an investigation.

The virus starts joint pains, headaches, dehydration and nausea, the experts say.

Three seven-year-old children and a nine-day old baby died on Friday – taking the fever death toll to 24, News 18 reported.

The outlet claim some locals are not able to reach hospitals due to flooding.

An investigation is underway to establish exactly what is causing the fever as fears grow in the region.

A health official said: “The samples have been collected to identify the causes behind the mysterious fever.”

One of the children’s parents told local media that their daughter died after being taken to hospital complaining of fever.

She said: “My daughter complained of fever on Thursday evening. We admitted her to the Nalhad Medical College for treatment but she died in the evening.”

Another said their son had similar symptoms and died the next day as well.

The worrying news comes after more than 50 people, mostly children, died of another mystery fever back in August.

The deaths provoked panic among hospital doctors and parents.

“The patients, especially children, in hospitals are dying very quickly,” Dr Neeta Kulshrestha said.

According to the World Health Organisation, there is no specific treatment.

Physicians in the affected districts – Agra, Mathura, Mainpuri, Etah, Kasganj and Firozabad – believe dengue, which is a mosquito-borne viral infection, could be the main cause of deaths.

The latest medical situation comes as at a time when India appears to be slowly recovering from a deadly second wave of coronavirus.

India has recorded over 26 million Covid-19 cases – second only to the US.

It has overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system, leaving hospitals struggling to cope.