NEW DELHI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At least seven children have died due to an unknown disease during the past six days in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, officials said on Friday.
The deaths have taken place in Sirohi district, about 413 km southwest of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan.
The mysterious deaths have triggered panic in the area, prompting authorities to rush medical teams to the affected villages in the district to ascertain the reasons.
According to officials, the first death was reported on April 9, two more children died on April 10 and later on four children died on April 11-13.
"It is yet to be confirmed if the deaths have occurred due to the consumption of something or if it is a viral disease," Sirohi district collector Bhanwar Lal said.
The children who died complained of convulsions, vomiting, fever and stiffness in the body.
Meanwhile, health department officials have initiated a door-to-door survey to identify if more children are suffering from the same symptoms in the area. ■
