‘Viral fever’ kills 10 in 2 months in Noida’s Sarfabad village

Noida, Aug 27 (PTI) Sarafabad village in Noida haswitnessed at least 10 deaths in the last two months thathealth officials claim were caused by "viral fever", promptingthe district administration to order a probe. Over 1,150 persons have reported at a newly set-up healthcamp at Sarafabad with symptoms of fever in the last two days,which residents claim was caused by poor sanitation andinfection, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) SC Gupta said. According to the villagers, the deaths took place over aperiod of two months. Following the outbreak of the disease, DistrictMagistrate NP Singh has ordered an inquiry by the healthdepartment and IMA. The DM also cancelled the leave of doctors and orderedthe setting up of the health camp at Sarafabad village. He directed the chief medical officer to ensure sprayingof an anti-larval formulation in and around the nearbyvillages. Noida and Greater Noida authorities have also beendirected to ensure fogging and proper sanitation in cityareas. Doctors have taken around 100 blood samples at thevillage and sent them for testing at a lab. Around 40 test reports have been received but so far nodengue or chikungunya case was found. The CMO meanwhile, hasclaimed it was a case of viral fever. "An IMA team visited Sarafabad this morning and spoke tofamily members of the deceased to ascertain cause of deaths,"A K Aggarwal, president IMA said today. PTI CORR BSA DVBSA