Kachchh : Following concerns over deaths in Lakhpat village in Kachchh District due to suspected Viral fever, state ministers Rushikesh Patel and Praful Pansheriya visited the area to assess the situation.
Kachchh Collector Amit Arora shared details of the meeting. He said, "They took stock of the situation in Lakhpat village. They also directed what steps are to be taken as precautions... They also had detailed discussions with the viral experts from Ahmedabad... We will be able to say anything further after the reports from NIB Pune are received."
Minister Praful Pansheriya said that the state government is taking preventive measures on a war footing and samples of the victims of the fever have been collected and sent to NIB Pune.
"Regarding cases of suspected fever in Lakhpat and Abdasa taluk. Obtained preliminary information on the prevailing situation from the Collector of Kutch District in charge with the Minister of Health Rushikesh Patel and senior officials of the Health Department, gave necessary guidance to the administration regarding disease prevention measures, " said minister Praful Pansheriya in a post on X.
"Suspected fever cases in Kachchh district came to the attention of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Ji. The system has taken preventive measures by working on war footing. In all the areas where suspected fever cases have been observed, the health department team has taken samples and sprayed medicines, " the minister added.
Earlier, Kachchh Collector Amit Arora provided updates on suspected fever cases in Lakhpat and Abdasa tehsils. He said, "More than 22 health teams are currently doing screening in Lakhpat and Abdasa. There is no clustering of any kind in the deaths that have occurred.
Therefore, prima facie it seems that there is no communicable disease. But in the cases that have come, every possible precaution is being taken with full caution. Four extra doctors have been kept in Lakhpat and Abdasa who are handling screening and OPD.
A total of 26 samples were taken, out of which 11 were tested and all of them were swine flu negative. Dengue has been tested positive in one case and malaria in two cases in Bhenkra village."
There has been widespread concern on Gujarat's Lakhpat and Abdasa talukas after 14 deaths, including six children, within four days due to suspected viral fever and pneumonia were reported.