India, Oct. 26 -- Five children in Jharkhand's Chaibasa tested positive for HIV after receiving blood transfusions for thalassemia, parking fears that this may be a wider issue. The state government has ordered a high-level investigation and suspending several officials in connection to the incident.

Jharkhand health minister Irfan Ansari said the issue came to light two days ago and termed it an "extremely serious" matter, reported news agency ANI.

"The matter of possible HIV infection through blood transfusion in children suffering from thalassemia is extremely serious. Two days ago, this issue came to my attention, after which I immediately ordered a high-level investigation," the minister said in a statement on social media platform...