Succumbing to the ‘mystery’ viral fever spreading in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra region, seven children, all below 15 years of age, died in the last 24 hours.
80 children with viral fever and dengue-like symptoms have succumbed in the district.
According to Times of India, more than 4,000 people in rural areas in Agra region are bedridden, especially due to lack of necessary arrangements at government centres. Besides, 350 confirmed cases of dengue have been reported, according to the newspaper.
SN Medical College – the largest government hospital in Agra – reportedly ran short of the platelet kits on Saturday. Patients admitted at hospital suffered from platelet counts.
The state health officials said that the 21 blood banks in Agra district had upto 48 hours of waiting for platelets.
“Since the dengue outbreak, demand for jumbo packs of blood and platelets have increased several times in two weeks. Platelet kits have run out of stock. We have placed orders for the supply of kits to a private agency,” said Neetu Chauhan, in-charge of the SNMC blood bank.
Balveer Singh, a farmer and father lost his 10-year-old son Kuldeep on their way to hospital.
He alleged that he got his son medicines from a private clinic as no doctor was available at the government centre.
“On Friday, his condition deteriorated. He died on the way to SN Medical College,” grief-stricken father told the newspaper.
Meanwhile, at least three more children have succumbed to viral fever in 24 hours in Firozabad district, another hotspot of the ‘mystery fever.’
Last month, Maktoob reported that people in Firozabad fled villages in droves to escape the spread of dengue fever and poor medical facilities.
Some local media reports say people in Uttar Pradesh villages took streets to criticise medical negligence and the state government’s inefficiency in handling the outbreak.
