An unknown disease killed four people and attacked 19 others in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat district in 24 hours till yesterdayevening.

The deceased are Sabina, 3, daughter of Mokbul Hossain of Saniazan Char village, Sajjad Hossain, 3, son of Belal Hossain of Tongvanga village, Rajjak Miah, 32, son of Abbas Ali of Genduguri village under Hatibandha upazila, and Aronno Ghos, 8, son of Ashok Ghos of 'bus stand' area of Hatibandha town.

With high fever, they were taken to Hatibandha upazila health complex where Sabina died on Monday night.

Sajjad died after he was transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital yesterday morning while Rajjak Miah died on the way to Dhaka Medical College Hospital at noon.

The four victims first got fever and their temperature went up rapidly. At one stage, their bodies became cold and they died, family and health complex sources said.

“I am feeling fever and it is getting serious. My body is also becoming cold,” Aronno Ghos said sometime before he died last night.

With similar symptoms, his sister Anonna Ghos, 4, and 17 others are undergoing treatment at Hatibandha upazila health complex.

Confirming the deaths due to an unknown disease,

Hatibandha Upazila Health Officer Dr Golam Mohammad said, “It may be a viral disease. We have sent patients' blood to Dhaka for test. I have already informed my authority for taking proper initiative.”

“We are waiting for laboratory test report from Dhaka that is likely to arrive by today [Tuesday] night,” Lalmonirhat Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam Sarker said.

“The health department and district and upazila administrations are alert regarding the matter. Necessary steps can be taken after getting laboratory test report,” said Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Mokhlesur Rahman Sarker.