Jaipur: The deaths of two sisters within five days after a fever-related illness have triggered concern in Baran, prompting the health department to launch an investigation after routine tests failed to identify the disease.Twelve-year-old Ishika and her three-and-a-half-year-old sister Aditi, daughters of Dhanraj Suman, developed a fever that progressed to severe pneumonia and critically poor lung function. Health officials said both children struggled to maintain oxygen saturation and required ventilator support.Ishika developed a fever on Aug 28 and was taken to Baran District Hospital. She was referred to Kota within three hours after her pulse dropped, but died during treatment on Sept 2. Aditi, who had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital for eight days, died on Sept 7 while being shifted from Kota to Jaipur after her condition failed to improve.“The deaths of two sisters within five days after a fever-related illness are a cause for concern for us. Our team of experts in the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has started an investigation and preventive measures. As of now, the disease has not been identified,” Baran chief medical and health officer Dr Jagdish Kushwah told TOI.Health officials said tests for malaria, dengue, swine flu and other seasonal diseases returned negative. Samples have now been collected from family members and nearby residents, while medical records and blood samples from the private hospital where the girls were treated are being examined.“We are collecting samples and medical history from the private hospital where the two girls underwent treatment. We will be able to find the cause soon,” Dr Kushwah said.Officials said two other daughters in the family also fell ill after Ishika’s death. While one recovered, Aditi’s condition deteriorated rapidly and she was put on ventilator support.The health department has intensified surveillance in the area following the unexplained deaths, amid concern among residents.
