BANJUL — Gambia has launched an urgent door-to-door campaign to remove cough and cold syrups blamed for the deaths of more than 60 children from kidney injury in the tiny West African country.

Director of Health Dr. Mustapha Bittaye confirmed to The Associated Press the wave of child deaths from acute kidney injury, sending shockwaves across the country of 2.4 million people and around the world.

The World Health Organization has issued an alarm in response to the deaths.

“WHO has issued a medical product alert for four contaminated medicines identified in Gambia that have been potentially linked to acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement issued Wednesday.

“The loss of young lives is beyond heartbreaking for their families,” he said.

You can read the rest of the story here. By Associated Press