Twelve children suffering from whooping cough died in a snow-bound district in the northeastern province of Badkhshan, the provincial governor spokesman said Thursday.
The childrens were between the ages of one and five, and the deaths took place in Shoorian village bordering Tajikistan, located in Nasi Darwaz district of the province, spokesman Abdulmaroof Rasekh told TOLOnews. He said local officials learned of the deaths last week.
About 350 other children in the area are suffering from the whooping cough epidemic. The village remains inaccessible from Afghanistan, so a health team was sent from Tajikistan Thursday. The team is now treating the children and providing them nutritious food, Rasekh added.
Heavy snow has blocked access to 12 districts in Badakhshan, and teams are unable to reach other areas with potential health emergencies.
Officials have said they will call in the Afghan National Army for help if needed.