Child treated by church after falling sick almost dies from illness

A couple whose toddler fell ill after being bitten by a tick took him to a church for therapy rather than seeking medical help because of their deep religious beliefs.

The child, who is 21 months old, was nursed at the local church but failed to get any better and was eventually rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

By then his condition had become critical, and he was suffering from a fever or 40 degrees.

Thankfully the little boy’s condition has stabilised and there is no threat to his life, but officials say the situation could have been different had he not been seen by doctors.

A statement from the Republican Children’s Hospital in Altai said: 'The child's parents, because of religious prejudice, brought the child not to a doctor, but to the church.

'The parents were not convinced about going to the doctor, and within a week the baby was treated at home. As a result, with a fever of 40 degrees, he was brought to the district hospital, and from there on the same day was taken to the neurological department of the Republican Children's Hospital.

'At the hospital, the little boy got appropriate examination.'

The child, from the Turochak district, was diagnosed with encephalitis, passed on from the tick which carries the pathogen for the condition.