India
‘Mysterious’ fever claims 14 lives in Gujarat, state govt sends 50 medical teams to affected areas – Times of India
NEW DELHI: A ‘mysterious’ fever has hit seven villages in Lakhpat and Abdasa talukas of Kutch district, Gujarat, leaving 14 dead, including six children. Gujarat In response, the government has sent specialized doctors and 50 medical teams to the affected areas to address the crisis.
Health Minister Rushikesh Patel convened a review meeting in Bhuj to assess the situation and ongoing measures. Patel said that 48 new cases of fever were reported in the region between September 3 and 10.
In response, the government has prepared 100 isolation beds, 30 ventilators and BiPAP machines at Adani GK General Hospital to handle emergencies. “We have deputed a cardiologist and two expert doctors along with 50 medical teams led by MBBS doctors in this region for early diagnosis and treatment,” Patel said.
The minister assured that while the situation is serious, it is not an outbreak like Covid-19. He urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear.
Ambulances are also on standby to transport patients to the designated hospital, which is equipped to handle the influx of cases.
The Animal Husbandry Department has ruled out zoonotic diseases as the cause. Samples of infected patients have been sent to the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagar and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for further analysis to determine the exact cause of the fever.
The spread of the fever is suspected to be linked to the recent heavy rains in Kutch district. Some of the symptoms resemble those of pneumonia, prompting the Rapid Response Team (RRT) to conduct detailed investigations to trace the origin of the disease.
The health department has also ruled out an outbreak of infectious diseases as there are no cluster infections.
Health Minister Rushikesh Patel convened a review meeting in Bhuj to assess the situation and ongoing measures. Patel said that 48 new cases of fever were reported in the region between September 3 and 10.
In response, the government has prepared 100 isolation beds, 30 ventilators and BiPAP machines at Adani GK General Hospital to handle emergencies. “We have deputed a cardiologist and two expert doctors along with 50 medical teams led by MBBS doctors in this region for early diagnosis and treatment,” Patel said.
The minister assured that while the situation is serious, it is not an outbreak like Covid-19. He urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear.
Ambulances are also on standby to transport patients to the designated hospital, which is equipped to handle the influx of cases.
What is known about the virus?
The Animal Husbandry Department has ruled out zoonotic diseases as the cause. Samples of infected patients have been sent to the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagar and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for further analysis to determine the exact cause of the fever.
The spread of the fever is suspected to be linked to the recent heavy rains in Kutch district. Some of the symptoms resemble those of pneumonia, prompting the Rapid Response Team (RRT) to conduct detailed investigations to trace the origin of the disease.
The health department has also ruled out an outbreak of infectious diseases as there are no cluster infections.
