A central group which was despatched to Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh to research the reason for a fever outbreak and deaths amongst youngsters has noticed that almost all of instances are of dengue and some are of scrub typhus and leptospirosis. Firozabad district has recorded 51 deaths, principally of kids, and a whole bunch of hospitalisations in over a fortnight and the viral fever has now unfold to neighbouring Mathura and Mainpuri districts.

Based on the observations of the central group, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan in a letter to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary has advisable screening of all fever sufferers for dengue, malaria, scrub typhus and leptospirosis.

Bhushan highlighted the necessity to strengthen ELISA-based testing services and advised that actions associated to fever survey and vector management be continued below a micro plan submitted by the central group.

He advisable that surveillance needs to be strengthened with implementation of the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) within the district in coordination with the central surveillance unit on the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and that entomological actions be strengthened and continued in keeping with customary tips and SOPs of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). He additionally advisable augmenting isolation beds and admission services within the district hospital of Firozabad and neighbouring districts and organising a brief reorientation of all medical doctors at main well being centres and group well being centres.