Mysterious Fever Claims 15 Lives in Gujarat’s Kutch District

A mysterious fever in Lakhpat, located in Gujarat’s Kutch district, has claimed 15 lives in the past eight days, with authorities still unable to identify its cause.

The fever, initially suspected to be pneumonitis, resulted in at least ten deaths, including children, between September 3 and September 7, and an additional five deaths have been reported since then.

Mysterious Fever Investigations Underway:

Amit Arora, the district collector, confirmed that 11 samples from the deceased had been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune to determine the cause of the illness. “The results are expected within a day or two, which will reveal whether this is a known virus or something new,” said Arora.

So far, tests have ruled out diseases such as H1N1, swine flu, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, malaria, and dengue. Additionally, according to preliminary findings, the deaths do not appear to be linked to contamination or any communicable diseases.

Response Measures:

Authorities have increased surveillance in the region, deploying 22 surveillance teams and additional doctors to the affected area near the Pakistani border.

Environmental Context:

The outbreak occurred amidst heavy rainfall and flooding in the region. Kutch district has recorded the highest rainfall in Gujarat this season, with about 890mm of rain, equating to 184% of the seasonal average, as of September 10.

The heavy rains and flooding may have contributed to the health crisis, though officials are still determining any possible links.

Authorities and health officials continue to control the situation and provide medical assistance to the affected population.

Get all the latest news on Indian daily post