Mysterious fever worsens in Kutch amid heavy rain, toll touches 15

Kutch, Sep 11 (IANS) Due to heavy rains in Kutch district, the mysterious fever that has been plaguing the region has spread further.

Reports indicate that over 15 people have died in Lakhpat taluka allegedly due to this unknown illness.

The situation has caused significant concern among the authorities in Gujarat.

Health officials and the district's health commissioner have arrived to investigate the matter.

Samples from suspected cases have been sent to Pune for further analysis, to gather more information and improve the health situation.

In response to the increasing number of cases, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel is set to visit Lakhpat village to assess the situation and will hold meetings with health department officials to devise necessary steps to be taken to bring the situation under control.

Accompanying him will be Minister of State for Education and Kutch District Incharge, Praful Panseria. Together, they will conduct a detailed review of suspected fever cases in Lakhpat and Abdasa talukas.

Minister Panseria expressed 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 also held a review meeting with the Kutch district administration to discuss the current situation and implement strategies to control the outbreak.

While some symptoms resemble those seen in pneumonitis, the Rapid Response Team (RRT) is conducting further investigations to determine the exact cause of the deaths.

The Animal Husbandry Department has ruled out zoonotic diseases though all the deceased belonged to the Jat Maldhari tribe, a herdsmen community residing in the arid regions of Gujarat.

The Gujarat government has requested the National Institute of Virology (NIV) to test the samples for a wide range of pathogens, including but not limited to Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Scrub Typhus, Chandipura Vesiculovirus (CHPV), Japanese Encephalitis, and even Plague.

The health department has ruled out an outbreak of communicable disease due to the absence of cluster infections.

Among the 27 contacts and symptomatic individuals identified in the health survey, the RRT found only two cases of Falciparum Malaria, two cases of Swine Flu, and one case of Dengue.