ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Health authorities were on Thursday searching for clues after the mysterious deaths of two boys, aged six and nine.

The children, who are not related and did not have any connection to each other, died on separate days after showing similar symptoms, including vomiting, fever and diarrhoea, for a short period.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Wilmoth Daniel convened a meeting with a number of health officials to discuss the matter.

Among those present were Chief Medical Officer Dr Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, Medical Officer of Health Dr Oritta Zachariah, Nurse Epidemiologist Sybil Smith, Principle Nursing Officer Eleanor Warner and Michael, who are all part of the investigating team.

Six year-old Alfred Perkins who was born in the United Kingdom and who lived in southern community English Harbour died on April 5 after waking up with a fever and vomiting.

The other child who died later in the week, nine-year-old Ishmael Bailey from Liberta – a community north of English Harbour, also awoke with a fever, had diarrhoea and was vomiting.

Zachariah appealed to residents that while health officials were not sure the nature of the problem, it was important for them to remain calm.