His blood samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune and the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagarauthorities said.
The suspected Chandipura virus that is mainly transmitted through sand flies, mosquitoes and ticks has so far claimed 20 lives in Gujarat. The number of positive cases went up to 37 in the state as on Julu 25, as more samples tested positive, a bulletin issued by the state government said.
The deceased, a native of Khareta village in Netrang taluk, was undergoing treatment in GMERS medical college-cum hospital in Vadodara.
According to Dr J S Dhulera, Bharuch district health officer, the deceased was suffering from high grade fever, convulsion and was in a semi-unconscious state.”
He was rushed to Netrang Community health centre on Wednesday, and from there he was shifted to Civil hospital at Rajpipla on Friday and later shifted to GMERS hospital, where he breathed his last on hospital bed on Friday evening,” Dr Dhulera said.
Earlier, two boys with suspected symptoms of the same virus were reported in the same taluk.
Dr Dhulera further said, “Out of the three samples sent to GBRC and NIV Pune, the reports of the first suspected patient, that of a four-year-old boy from Ghanikhut village on July 23, turned up late on Friday and it was found to be negative. The reports of two other samples are still awaited.”
Collector Dr Sumera told The Indian Express that the report of two samples will most probably be available by Saturday evening.
“We have instructed the entomologist of Bharuch Agriculture University to visit Ghanikhut and Khareta villages to monitor the sandflies in the areas and start a probe,” he said.
The health department officials had visited the house of the deceased boy and carried out an examination of his house. The officials also carried out an inspection of houses in the village, but no suspected case was detected.
“We have done dusting in the village and also carried out an awareness campaign in the village about symptoms of Chandipura virus. The sarpanches of different villages have been told to immediately contact the district health authorities if they come across any patients suffering from high-grade fever, convulsions, vomiting and other symptoms,” Dr Dhulera said.
Earlier Chandipura virus outbreaks were reported in 2003–04 in parts of central India, including MaharashtraGujarat, and Andhra Pradeshthat caused the deaths of over 300 children.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 27-07-2024 at 14:05 IST
