http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/17/measles-vaccination-mix-up-syria-15-infants-killed
Measles vaccination mix-up leaves 15 infants dead in northern Syria
Muscle relaxant given to up to 75 children in an error perhaps caused by the similarities of drug packaging
Martin Chulov and Emma Beals
The Guardian, Wednesday 17 September 2014 14.15 EDT
Medics carrying out a measles vaccination in northern Syria instead administered an anaesthetic to up to 75 infants, killing 15, a preliminary investigation into their deaths has found.
The report says an anaesthetic, atracuriam, which is used as a muscle relaxant in surgery was given to the infants, perhaps mixed with the measles vaccine, which had been delivered by aid agencies conducting a mass vaccination program in opposition parts of northern Syria.
The error is believed to have occurred because the packaging of the anaesthetic drug was similar to that of the solution used to mix the measles vaccination.
The drug is usually fatal when given to infants in the doses administered, but older children can survive low dosages due to their higher body weights. The fatalities occurred in children between 6 and 18 months.
The children all presented symptoms within half an hour of being given the drug and were suffering from diarrhoea, shock and respiratory failure. Most of the fatalities were dead before they reached a hospital, according to a local activist.
Syrian opposition officials have ordered an urgent probe into the deaths and the health minister in the interim administration resigned on Wednesday. Earlier reports had suggested the toll may have been as high as 34 and that deliberate attempts may have been made to poison the children.
However inquiries are now focusing on clinical negligence and have vowed to prosecute anyone found responsible.
<>
= new reply since forum marked as read
