At least 32 children have died in a cluster of remote villages in India's Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh state, since May 2026, according to officials. The victims, who ranged from infants to an 18-year-old, were mostly from the Baiga tribal group.
Officials attribute the deaths primarily to outbreaks of measles and malaria, suggesting that malnutrition and delays in treatment may have aggravated the situation. They believe eight to ten deaths were linked to measles and approximately another ten to malaria, with some children suffering from multiple infections. The precise cause for every death is less certain.
Reaching health centres in the remote, forested parts of Balaghat can be challenging, particularly during the monsoon season when dirt tracks become slippery and impassable. The nearest state hospital is about 70km away, making access difficult for families without vehicles.
Local beliefs also reportedly influenced how some families responded to sick children. Some Baiga families view certain illnesses as the arrival of a disease goddess, requiring rituals rather than immediate medical treatment. However, as the scale of deaths became apparent, local authorities intervened, with officials reportedly taking seriously ill children to hospital, leading to their recovery.