Typhoid cases rise in Gandhinagar; 67 infected, 40 teams deployed

At least 67 people in Gujarat’s capital Gandhinagar have contracted typhoid due to contaminated drinking water, triggering concern among health authorities amid rising complaints of fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. The situation has drawn comparisons with the recent Indore water crisis, where contaminated sewage water reportedly led to nearly 2,800 people falling ill and 13 deaths.According to officials, suspected typhoid cases have been reported from Gandhinagar’s Sector 24, Sector 26, Sector 28 and the Adivada area. While the health department has termed the cases as “suspected” for now, the surge in illness has prompted swift preventive and surveillance measures.

Of the 67 reported cases, 28 patients have been admitted to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital, while around 14 others were treated at Urban Health Centres in Sector 24 and Sector 29. Several residents in the affected areas complained of prolonged fever, abdominal discomfort and vomiting, symptoms commonly associated with waterborne infections.
In response, the health department has launched an extensive door-to-door surveillance drive. Nearly 40 medical teams have been deployed, covering a population of about 38,000 across more than 10,000 households. As part of the preventive effort, officials have distributed around 20,000 chlorine tablets, 5,000 oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets and 10,000 awareness pamphlets.Along with active surveillance, health teams are visiting homes to educate residents on precautionary measures, including drinking boiled water, avoiding food from outside sources and maintaining proper hand hygiene to curb the spread of infection.Officials reported stated water samples are being tested and corrective measures are underway to address possible contamination in the supply network. The incident has raised fresh concerns over civic oversight and public health preparedness, especially in the wake of similar waterborne disease outbreaks reported recently in other cities.

(State Correspondent)