JAKARTA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has temporarily suspended the circulation of all liquid medicines after detecting 206 cases of acute kidney injury in 20 provinces with 99 deaths, the Health Ministry said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"The number of cases has increased in children since late August, especially those aged less than six years. Some cases are accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, coughing, nausea, or vomiting," said health ministry spokesman Mohammad Syahril.
The ministry emphasized that the cases were not related to COVID-19 vaccines, where the injection target is only for children aged six years and above.
Reports reaching here said about 70 children in Gambia had died from acute kidney injury, which were allegedly related to the diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol content in four Indian-made cough syrups.
But Indonesia's food and drug regulatory agency BPOM confirmed these drugs were not registered in the country.
The authorities said an investigation is underway. ■