7 more children succumb to viral fever in 24 hours in Agra

AGRA: Seven children, all below 15 years of age, suffering from viral fever, died in Agra district in the last 24 hours. So far, 95 people with viral fever and dengue-like symptoms have succumbed in the district. Of these, 80 were children. Two police constables also died during treatment. Besides, 350 confirmed cases of dengue have been reported, health department officials said.

More than 4,000 people in rural areas are bedridden, especially due to lack of necessary arrangements at government centres.

Most of them are dependent on quacks for treatment. Patients admitted at local private hospitals suffered from platelet counts. SN Medical College – the largest government centre in Agra region - reportedly ran short of the platelet kits on Saturday.

With patients' caretakers coming from other districts, the 21 blood banks in Agra district had upto 48 hours of waiting for platelets, officials said.

In-charge of the SNMC blood bank, Dr Neetu Chauhan, said, “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."

Balveer Singh, a farmer and father of 10-year-old Kuldeep, said, “My son had been suffering from fever for the past four days. We got him 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.”

So far, 23 cops have been found to be affected with dengue. Aligarh resident, constable Sonu Kumar (28) posted at Nunhai police outpost died under treatment on Thursday. Resident of Mathura, constable Premlata (41) posted in Bulandshahr passed away at a private hospital in Agra on Friday.

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On Saturday, Agra SSP Muniraj G said, “Twenty-five cops are down with fever. Out of them, 23 have been tested with dengue infection. All of them have been granted leave. We are ensuring they get the required treatment. Arrangements have been made for cleanliness and anti-larvae spraying around the police stations, outposts and residential quarters.”

Mahesh Badhoriya, a resident of Utsana village under Pihanat block, claimed, “Most of the patients with high fever are dependent on local quacks. Over 300 of them are bedridden at home.”

Chief medical officer of Agra district, Arun Kumar Srivastava, said, “Health department teams are conducting door-to-door surveys in rural areas to identify patients suffering fever and help them in getting the required treatment."

At least three more children have succumbed to viral fever in 24 hours in Firozabad district. Four died in Etah, three in Kasganj and one in Mainpuri.

According to health officials, so far, over 6,000 cases of dengue have been confirmed in Agra division. Of these, 4,900 are from Firozabad district, 650 in Mathura, 350 in Agra and 165 in Mainpuri.