Over 100 hospitalised with suspected typhoid in Gandhinagar, contaminated water feared

Gandhinagar has been put on high alert after more than 100 people, mostly children, were hospitalised with suspected typhoid over the past few days, with officials linking the outbreak to contaminated drinking water. Health authorities said the contamination is likely due to ongoing drainage repair work in parts of the city.

In total, 102 confirmed typhoid cases have been reported so far, while 104 suspected patients are currently undergoing treatment at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital. Of the confirmed cases, 37 patients are admitted at the civil hospital, with the remaining being treated at other healthcare facilities. Officials said there have been no casualties and the condition of all admitted patients is stable.

The highest number of cases have been reported from Sector 24, with additional cases emerging from Sector 21 and nearby areas. Six locations with suspected water contamination have been identified, and corrective measures are underway to prevent further spread of the infection.

The health department has deployed 63 surveillance teams and conducted door-to-door surveys in around 10,000 houses, covering nearly 38,000 residents. A rapid response team of physicians and microbiologists has also been formed to monitor patients and assess the spread of the disease.

Residents have been advised to drink boiled water and consume home-cooked food as a precaution. The civic body is distributing chlorine tablets for cleaning water tanks, while senior government officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, have reviewed the situation and directed authorities to ensure swift control of the outbreak.