Four children died from the disease and 500 were attacked in last three days, according to sources at Sharishabari Upazila Health Complex.

The dead are Rithu (four months), daughter of Monuhor, Sudhandshu (six months), son of Shirish Sarkar of Baladia in Sarishabari Pourasova, Yushuf (eight months) son of Shaha Ali, Neuton (five months), son of Abdul Mannaf of Kumariabari village in Satpua union in Sharishabari upazila.

Sarishabari Upazila Health Officer told this correspondent that pneumonia has broken out in an "epidemic form" in different villages in the upazila.

On an average, 50 children are being brought to Sarishabari Upazila Health Complex every day for treatment but

scarcity of medicine is hampering their treatment, he said.

The Jamalpur Civil Surgeon however said there is adequate supply of medicines at hospitals and the disease is under control.