Two school-going children have tragically died, and 27 others have been infected with a suspected measles outbreak in the village of Budagar, Maihar district, Madhya Pradesh. The infected children are currently stable and receiving treatment at primary health centers and district hospitals in Maihar.

Health authorities have collected blood and throat swab samples from the affected individuals, which have been sent to laboratories in Jabalpur and AIIMS, Bhopal for diagnosis. As a precautionary measure, schools in eight nearby villages, including primary, middle, and Anganwadi, have been temporarily closed.

The cause of the deaths and infections remains unconfirmed pending the laboratory reports. However, 27 children from three villages, namely Kherwa Kalan, Semra, and Budagar, have exhibited symptoms such as fever and body rashes.

District collector Rani Batad emphasized that the situation is not indicative of an outbreak and has assured that medical camps, including mobile teams of doctors and health workers, have been deployed to the affected areas. The situation is reported to be under control.

Yash Kori was identified as one of the deceased children. The outbreak was first noticed by a schoolteacher who observed rashes and fever among the students and promptly alerted the health department. Dr. Gyanesh Gautam, a BMO doctor, reported that initially, 18 children in the area were found to be suffering from fever and rashes.

Notably, some villagers were initially hesitant to seek medical attention for their children, and efforts are being made to counsel and encourage them to visit the primary health center, as stated by the district collector.