Sudden death of two of a family of fever creates panic

Dhaka, Jan 27 – Two members of a family died of sudden fever in a village of Lauhajong Upazila in Munshiganj district. The death incidents of a woman and her nephew create panic among the local people. Sources said, Shamima Begum, a 34 old woman, wife of Mir Mohammad Jewel of Jasaldia village of the Upazila, died about 8:00 am on Sunday. Their nephew Mir Abdur Rahman, 3, son of Mir Mohammad Sohel, passed away about 2:00 am on Monday.
The two died in a space of 16 hours. The symptoms of fever before the death have been linked to Coronavirus, said relatives of the deceased.
Officials from Lauhajong Upazila administration and a medical team of the Upazila Health Complex visited the house.
Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Lauhajong Upazila, Md Rasheduzzaman said that, out of grieve, the family is giving misinformation. No symptoms like Coronavirus were seen in the dead. There is no justification for a sudden outbreak of the deadly China virus.
Rasheduzzaman also said, “I rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the news. The doctor has come and they are gathering information. Expert Dr Kamrul Hasan Patwari is talking to the family members. Another expert team is coming to find out what caused their death.”
Health Officer of Lauhajong Upazila, Dr Shamim Ahmed said, “We have been informed about the matter. We have already sent the blood of the dead for the test. After investigation, we can say whether it is Coronavirus or not.”
“I think it is unfair to draw the context of the coronavirus with these deaths before the test report come in. But we are giving importance to the issue. The matter was reported to senior officials, including a civil surgeon,” he said.
Locals, including the family members, urged for a proper medical examination of the incident. Family members said that both the aunt and nephew were suffering from high fever.
After the death of Abdur Rahman, we got panicked and informed Upazila Health Complex doctors. They visited the house and examined the body of the child, said Mir Shiplu, brother of Mir Jewel and Sohel.
Meanwhile, Shamima is already been buried, he added.
Surveillance Medical Officer of World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Sabinul Islam and a team were on their way to Lauhajong to assess the situation.
Professor Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Director of Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), told the reporters that they are investigating the deaths.
“We cannot comment about the incident before getting the result,” she said. – Staff Reporter