Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Dengue Cases Hit National Unity Day Parade Personnel
At least 24 people preparing for Gujarat’s National Unity Day parade tested positive for dengue.
They were taken to a hospital in Gandhinagar.
Some patients have recovered and gone home, and officials said the others were stable.
Health teams are checking where the group stayed and trying to control mosquitoes.
Officials said they had not seen a larger increase in hospital admissions among the public.
The Aam Aadmi Party criticized the government over sanitation and the care patients received.
The parade is planned for October 31 in Ekta Nagar.
Thousands of people are expected to take part in the celebrations.
At least 24 parade personnel tested positive for dengue and were hospitalized in Gandhinagar.
Thirty-four personnel were brought to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital on Thursday, followed by five more admissions by Friday afternoon.
About 10 patients had recovered and been discharged; officials said those still hospitalized were stable.
Public health teams were assigned to inspect accommodation, control mosquitoes, and conduct further diagnostic tests.
The Aam Aadmi Party criticized the state administration over sanitation and patient care, while health authorities said hospitals had not seen a wider rise in admissions.
- Who
- At least 24 security and cultural contingent personnel preparing for the National Unity Day celebrations.
- What
- They tested positive for dengue and were hospitalized; public health teams began an investigation and vector-control work.
- When
- Cases were reported on Thursday and Friday ahead of events scheduled for October 30 and 31.
- Where
- Gandhinagar, Gujarat; the parade is scheduled to take place at Ekta Nagar.
- Why
- The source of infection has not been formally identified; officials are investigating accommodation sites and other possible transmission locations.
AAP criticism
Administration and health authorities
Sanitation and public-health response
AAP criticism
The Aam Aadmi Party accused the Gujarat administration of apathy and poor sanitation, and said it had stayed silent about the city’s health situation.
Administration and health authorities
Health authorities said public health units had been alerted and epidemiological teams were surveying accommodation sites, conducting mosquito-control operations, and running further tests.
Patient care and wider risk
AAP criticism
AAP criticized the civil hospital’s care, alleging that admitted personnel received biscuit packets instead of proper, nutritious breakfasts.
Administration and health authorities
Hospital officials said the hospitalized personnel were stable, about 10 had been discharged, and emergency rooms had not seen a wider rise in admissions outside the parade group.
- Confirmed dengue cases
- At least 24
- Initial hospital arrivals
- 34 personnel were brought to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital on Thursday
- Additional admissions
- Five more individuals were admitted by Friday afternoon
- Patient status
- About 10 had recovered and been discharged; remaining hospitalized personnel were reported stable
- Affected group
- Visiting security and cultural contingents, predominantly ages 25 to 30
- Scheduled events
- Rashtriya Ekta Diwas events are scheduled for October 30 and 31, with the parade on October 31
- Expected participants
- Around 10,000 participants from police and paramilitary forces
- Statewide seasonal figures
- More than 135,000 diagnostic samples processed and nearly 2,100 dengue cases recorded across Gujarat