Unknown respiratory disease kills 19, including 16 children in Pakistan

In Karachi, Pakistan, 19 people, 16 of them being children, died within a 2-week period from a respiratory illness of undetermined origin. Despite alarm from health officials, the cause of the disease remains unidentified. According to local media, 4 individuals from the same family died from the illness and 50 more children have been diagnosed with it. Authorities plan to investigate the Kemari area of the city where the deaths occurred, suspecting the disease may be caused by toxic gases emitted from illegal factories in the area. Three plastic factories have been shut down and 5 people, including one factory owner, have been arrested in connection with the investigation.