Heavy rains in Kutch district have worsened a mysterious fever outbreak, with over 15 deaths reported in Lakhpat taluka. The unknown illness has raised significant concern among authorities in Gujarat.
Health officials and the district’s health commissioner have arrived in the region to investigate the situation. They have sent samples from suspected cases to Pune for further analysis in hopes of understanding and improving the health crisis.
In response to the rising number of cases, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel plans to visit Lakhpat village. He will meet with health department officials to discuss measures to control the outbreak. Minister of State for Education and Kutch District Incharge, Praful Panseria, will accompany him. Together, they will review fever cases in both Lakhpat and Abdasa talukas.
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Minister Panseria expressed his concern, stating, “The rising number of fever cases has become a serious issue. We will take immediate action, visit the affected areas, and assess the health conditions of the people.”
The Health Minister has already conducted a review meeting with the Kutch district administration to implement strategies for managing the situation. Although symptoms resemble those of pneumonitis, the Rapid Response Team (RRT) is still investigating the exact cause of the deaths.
The Animal Husbandry Department has ruled out zoonotic diseases, despite all deceased belonging to the Jat Maldhari tribe. The Gujarat government has requested the National Institute of Virology (NIV) to test for various pathogens, including Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Scrub Typhus, Chandipura Vesiculovirus (CHPV), Japanese Encephalitis, and Plague.
The health department has ruled out a communicable disease outbreak due to the lack of cluster infections. Among 27 contacts and symptomatic individuals surveyed, the RRT found only two cases of Falciparum Malaria, two cases of Swine Flu, and one case of Dengue.