Ammon News - The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against the use of two Indian cough syrups for children that have been linked to deaths in Uzbekistan.

WHO said the products, manufactured by Marion Biotech, were "substandard" and that the firm had failed to provide guarantees about their safety.

The alert comes weeks after Uzbekistan alleged that 18 children died after consuming a syrup made by the company.

Marion Biotech has not yet commented on the alert.

In the alert issued on Thursday, WHO said that an analysis of the two cough syrups - Ambronol and Dok-1 Max - by the quality control laboratories of Uzbekistan's health ministry found unacceptable amounts of two contaminants - "diethylene glycol and/or ethylene glycol".

Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans and could be fatal if consumed.

"Both of these products may have marketing authorizations in other countries in the region. They may also have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions," the WHO said.

It added that "the substandard products" were "unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death".