The death toll from a suspected toxic cough syrup incident across parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan has tragically climbed to 12 children. The rising fatalities have now been compounded by a deepening mystery, as initial laboratory tests of the medicine samples have reportedly failed to detect common toxic contaminants.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that tests conducted on samples of cough syrup collected from Chhindwara district where nine children have died since early September did not show the presence of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG). These industrial chemicals are known to cause acute kidney failure and have been implicated in past cough syrup poisoning tragedies globally.

This finding contradicts earlier preliminary biopsy reports from Chhindwara, which had initially indicated kidney tissue abnormalities consistent with DEG contamination. The death toll was previously reported as six earlier this week. iQOO Z10x 5G (Ultramarine, 6GB RAM, 128GB Storage) | 6500 mAh Large Capacity Battery | Dimensity 7300 Processor | Military-Grade Durability

Multi-Agency Probe Launched -

With the cause of death now heavily questioned, a multi-disciplinary team of experts has been dispatched to investigate alternative causes for the surge in fatalities. This team includes representatives from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Institute of Virology (NIV), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), AIIMS Nagpur, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), and state health authorities.

Their investigation is now focusing on other possibilities, including contaminated water, vector-borne diseases, and respiratory pathogens. The analysis of a wider batch of cough syrup samples is currently pending. Also Read: Mysuru Dasara Jumboo Savari a Grand Success: 14 Elephants Enjoy Well-Deserved Rest!