At least 32 children have died since May in remote villages in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh state in India, with most victims belonging to the Baiga, one of India's particularly vulnerable tribal groups. Officials attribute the deaths primarily to measles and malaria, exacerbated by malnutrition and delays in treatment. The scale of the outbreak has shocked local representatives, with one regional politician stating he has never witnessed such a concentration of child deaths in such a short timeframe.

The crisis is compounded by severe geographic and infrastructure challenges. The nearest state hospital is 70 kilometres away, and during monsoon season, the remote terrain becomes impassable with muddy tracks, making it extremely difficult for families without vehicles to access medical care. Additionally, traditional cultural beliefs significantly hamper treatment-seeking behaviour; many Baiga families regard illnesses such as measles as the arrival of a disease goddess that must be appeased through seven to nine-day rituals involving offerings and bathing, with some believing that medical treatment before completing these rituals could cause death.