Kutch, Sep 9
The Congress attacked the Gujarat government on Monday, accusing it of negligence in handling a mysterious outbreak that has claimed 14 lives in the Lakhpat and Abdasa talukas of Kutch district.
Calling it an epidemic, the Congress stated that despite repeated warnings, the Gujarat government failed to act promptly.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat government has dispatched 22 medical and surveillance teams to the affected areas. This comes after 14 suspicious deaths, including those of six children, were reported till September 8.
The fatalities have largely been attributed to fever and pneumonia, with patients also experiencing difficulty in breathing.
On Monday the Gujarat Congress criticised the state government’s handling of the crisis, accusing it of negligence.
"A deadly epidemic has broken out in Lakhpat taluka, claiming 14 lives," said party leaders.
Despite repeated warnings from local authorities, the Congress claims that the government did not take serious action up until recently.
The party emphasised the lack of clean drinking water and accused the government machinery of being unresponsive to the crisis.
"Expert medical teams and laboratory tests are urgently needed to diagnose the illness and bring the situation under control. Negligence at this point is unacceptable," the Congress’ statement added.
Local district panchayat members raised concerns over medical professionals' inability to diagnose the illness accurately.
However, the district administration stated that the cases, prima facie, appear to be instances of influenza.
So far, two additional deaths have been recorded since the investigative teams arrived, with both victims showing similar symptoms and eventually succumbing to pneumonitis.