After floods, health crisis in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD/SURAT: The flood water has left behind a viral epidemic in Gujarat with 40,000 cases reported in Ahmedabad in five days. “About 2,000 to 5,000 cases of viral fever are being reported daily in city hospitals,” said Dr SP Kulkarni, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

Surat is also affected, with 9 deaths in two days, though officials maintain there is no fear of an epidemic. Panic had gripped the city on Wednesday after the death of two people by haemorrhagic pneumonia. Some reports claimed authorities had issued a health warning. However, SR Rao, principal secretary in urban development department, denied the reports. “I am certain that there is no plague scare.”

In Ahmedabad, a special drive has been launched to check the fever. “About 1,000 paramedical staff will go house-to-house to give medicines,” Municipal Commissioner IP Gautam said.