AHMEDABAD: More than 50 BSF, CRPF and ITBP personnel who arrived in Gandhinagar for the National Unity Day parade have tested positive for dengue, with 43 hospitalised at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital. A 29-year-old CRPF jawan from Assam also died during treatment, though the official cause of death is yet to be established.
The deceased, Amal Barman, was undergoing treatment for dengue at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital. Hospital authorities said a post-mortem examination has been completed and the final cause of death is awaited.
Civil Hospital RMO Dr Vipula Pandya said Barman arrived at the hospital's outpatient department at around 9.30 pm on October 6 and was admitted after his medical reports were assessed.
"Amal arrived at the OPD for treatment at 9:30 PM on the 6th...Doctors immediately performed an ECG and cardiac marker tests, but despite brief treatment, the patient passed away at 6:50 AM. A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the official cause of death is currently pending," the doctor said.
The dengue cases have prompted the state Health Department to intensify preventive measures in the affected areas.
Health Minister Prafull Panseriya convened a high-level review meeting after being briefed about the rising cases. Authorities subsequently ordered intensive fogging, chemical spraying, anti-larval operations and surveillance.
According to a Health Department press note, BSF, CRPF and ITBP personnel from various states began arriving in Gandhinagar on September 21 for the National Unity Day parade. Temporary accommodation was arranged for them in newly constructed government housing units in Sectors 28 and 29.
The department said water accumulation in the newly constructed quarters had led to mosquito breeding, following which dengue cases were reported among the personnel staying there.
Authorities have ordered intensified fever surveillance and patient tracking in the affected areas, along with daily fogging and anti-larval measures around the personnel's residential areas and the parade ground.
The immediate focus is on containing mosquito breeding and preventing the outbreak from spreading among the personnel assembled in Gandhinagar for the national event.
