Infectious disease outbreak kills 11 children in Mindat, over 600 infected amid medicine shortage

An outbreak of infectious diseases in Mindat Township, southern Chin State, has killed at least 11 children under the age of five and infected more than 600 people in just over a month, according to a local township health committee official.

The outbreak, which began around 10 August, includes cases of influenza, severe pneumonia, and diarrhoea. The diseases have rapidly spread across the township, with children making up the vast majority of patients.

“We have enough health workers, including striking CDM [Civil Disobedience Movement] staff, but there is a severe shortage of medicines. The situation is very difficult,” the official told Mizzima.

The official added that only limited medical supplies had been received from the Chin Health Organization (CHO), and warned that without further assistance, more lives could be lost.