Six children and their father have died in Egypt’s Minya Governorate following exposure to a highly toxic pesticide. The Criminal Investigation Department has been ordered to expedite its investigation into the tragic incident.
Samples taken from the deceased children revealed high concentrations of “chlorphanebire,” a potent chemical found in certain pesticides. Mahmoud Amr, founder of the National center for Stomach, stated that all pesticides are toxic, with some being fatal. he identified “chlorphanebire” as a lethal substance and suggested that the deaths were likely due to improper storage and handling of pesticides, warning that indiscriminate use poses a significant risk to public health.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Muhammad Ismail, a professor of toxicology at Minya University’s Faculty of Medicine, explained that “chlorphanebire” lacks a specific diagnostic test and has no known antidote worldwide.He noted that recorded cases involving this substance are extremely rare and that its toxicity is not diminished by boiling, meaning it retains its lethal properties even when added to food.
The first child died on friday, July 11, in the village of Delja, with two more children succumbing to the same cause later that day. A fourth child passed away in intensive care the following day. On Wednesday, July 16, a fifth child died, followed by a sixth child ten days later.The father of the children died most recently, on Saturday.
Initially, the Ministry of Health denied reports that the deaths were caused by meningitis, dismissing them as unfounded rumors. however, the ministry later issued a statement confirming it was investigating the incident. Subsequent field and laboratory investigations found no increase in infectious disease rates, reinforcing the conclusion that pesticide poisoning was the cause of death.