Chittagong: A special team of physician from Health Ministry reached Faujdarhat Infectious Diseases Hospital in Sitakunda on Thursday morning and collected blood samples of the children infected by an ‘unknown’ disease.

The medical team primarily suspected that the outbreak of the disease might have caused by malnutrition.

Civil Surgeon Azizur Rahman Siddique said, ‘The reasons behind the fever couldn’t be known yet but the physicians primarily suspect that malnutrition might be the cause behind the disease.’

Meanwhile, the samples have been sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for laboratory test, he said.

Nine children reportedly died of viral fever and 46 others fell ill in hilly Tripurapara of Situakunda in the last four days till Wednesday.

Four of them died on Wednesday in their respective houses, said Sitakunda Upazila Health Officer Dr SM Nurul Karim Rashed.

Of the sick children, 13 were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital while the rest were taken to Faujdarhat  Infectious Diseases Hospital in Sitakunda.

Nurul Karim said the children who caught the fever fell unconscious while shaking and then died.

Meanwhile, the leave of all government doctors in Sitakunda has been cancelled so that they can take part in emergency operations, said Azizur.

The CMCH authorities have already formed a medical team to provide treatment to the fever-affected children.

Besides, the authorities concerned have suspended academic activities of three schools in Sonaichhari and Kumira unions for Thursday following the outbreak of the disease, said Sitakunda Primary Education Officer Nurussafa.