Rumor creates panic in Dinajpur

DINAJPUR, MAR 13: The rumor of children falling sick and dying after taking vitamin A capsules distributed by the government under a campaign gripped people of Dinajpur district and its adjacent upazilas. People of the district were gripped by panic all day long and night as the rumor spread very fast over phone. Several hundreds of children were rushed to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, Dinajpur General Hospital, Arabinda Shishu Hospital and different upazila Health Complex of the district for checkup.
While visiting Dinajpur General Hospital at 11.30 pm last night the correspondent found that, hundreds of worried parents were gathering at the hospital’s emergency department with their children. Some of the children were feeling nauseous, but had no problem other than panic.
Sushoma Rani Roy 27, came to the hospital with her baby from Sundarbon village under Dinajpur Sadar upazila about 20 kilometer from the hospital told to The Independent that he heard that several babies were fallen sick and five had even died her nearest village, taking vitamin A capsules. After hearing the rumor, she came to the hospital with her baby at 11.45 pm last night with rickshaw van. But her baby had no problem, she added.
Not only Sushoma Rani, but also hundreds of people came to the hospital from different areas all over the night after hearing such kind of rumor.
Most of the parents complained that their children were feeling feverish and weak, and vomiting. After check-ups, doctors prescribed bed rest for the children. Following a rumor of death of five children, more than 50 to 60 of people rushed to Dinajpur General Hospital at 10.30 pm and trying to attack the doctor. On information police rushed to the spot and dispersed them, said Abdul Kader Zilani, officer-in-charge of Kotowali Police Station.
After hearing the public gathering at Dinajpur General Hospital Civil Surgeon Dr. Moudud Hossain rushed to the hospital at night and talked with the curious people. He assured the people that no incident of children falling sick after dousing vitamin A capsule was reported. “The medical officers, however, told me that after being seized by panic listening to the rumors, many guardians gathered at the hospital with their children. After checking, no one was found sick as a result of dousing vitamin A capsule”, the civil surgeon said. The Civil Surgeon said that a vested quarter intentionally spread the rumor to foil the national campaign and obstruct the successful health program of the government.
Assuring that the quality of the vitamin A capsule and anti-worm tablets have been tested in internationally recognized lab in Singapore and certified by World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Moudud urged the parents and guardians not to pay heed to any rumor and douse their children with the vitamin A and anti-worm capsules in the next four days of the campaign to make it a success and protect their children.
Besides, learning about the rumor, Syed Jahangir Alam, the mayor of Dinajpur Minicipality and councilors rushed to different hospitals of the town to clarify the matter.
On the other hand, the rumor was talk of the town till today (March, 13). People were found discussing the matter in tea stalls, public transports and wherever there were crowds, though no one could confirm the death of any child in the district. Everyone said that they have heard from someone about the rumor. However, visiting different hospitals in the town and different upazila health complexes in the district, no child was found falling sick after dousing vitamin A capsules.

Source: The Independent