India, May 20 -- Malegaon in Nashik district has reported three suspected cases of diphtheria, a highly infectious bacterial disease, over the past six days. Two siblings, aged six months and 11 years, have died, while a 1.5-year-old girl is undergoing treatment at the state-run Malegaon General Hospital. Her condition is stable.

Dr Kapil Aher, state deputy director of health, said the health department was treating the matter seriously as diphtheria is now uncommon in India.

"As instructed by the health department, the Malegaon Municipal Corporation has started health surveillance in the area where the three cases were reported, especially among children," Aher told HT. He added that he would visit Malegaon in the next few days to revi...