Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, October 27, 2026: Preparations for the National Unity Day celebrations at Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar have come under a health alert after 21 Border Security Force personnel scheduled to participate in the October 31 parade tested positive for dengue.
The affected personnel are part of a 40-member BSF contingent from Assam that travelled to Gujarat for the annual programme commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The infected personnel are undergoing treatment at the Ekta Nagar Trauma Centre, while health authorities have intensified mosquito-control, surveillance and emergency medical arrangements around the event venue.
21 BSF Personnel Test Positive
According to Narmada district health authorities, 21 members of the BSF contingent tested positive after several personnel began developing fever one after another.
Medical examinations subsequently confirmed dengue infection.
The affected personnel have been monitored at the Ekta Nagar Trauma Centre, where doctors are conducting regular blood tests and assessing their recovery.
Personnel Had Arrived From Assam
The infected personnel belong to a group of 40 BSF members who travelled from Assam to Gujarat for the National Unity Day parade.
Their participation in the October 31 event is now uncertain and will depend on their medical condition and recovery in the coming days.
Cases Detected During Mandatory Medical Monitoring
Narmada Chief District Health Officer Dr J O Madhak said the infections were detected while the personnel were undergoing mandatory health monitoring after arriving in Ekta Nagar.
Officials began testing the group after repeated fever cases emerged among the visiting personnel.
Around 10,000 Personnel Arrive for Parade
Approximately 10,000 personnel have arrived in the area in connection with preparations for the National Unity Day programme.
The large deployment includes members of security forces, police units and other personnel participating in parade rehearsals, logistics and event security.
Around Five Positive Cases Being Detected Daily
Health officials said approximately five dengue-positive cases had been detected each day among personnel associated with the event.
Since October 20, around 40 dengue cases had been recorded among those deployed for the programme, according to the district health administration.
75 Personnel Reported With Various Medical Issues
Officials said a total of around 75 personnel had reported different medical problems, not all of them dengue-related.
Of these, 10 were under observation at the time of the latest health assessment.
Two Referred to Vadodara for Critical Dengue Care
Two personnel suffering from dengue were referred to SSG Hospital in Vadodara for critical care.
A dedicated medical facility has been identified there for personnel requiring higher-level treatment during the National Unity Day preparations.
Officials Say Situation Is Not an Epidemic
Despite the number of infections, district health officials said the situation was not being treated as an epidemic or dengue outbreak.
Authorities described the cases as sporadic infections detected among personnel who had arrived from different areas for the event.
Health Department Intensifies Preventive Measures
With thousands of personnel and visitors expected in Ekta Nagar, the health department has stepped up mosquito-control efforts.
Teams are identifying and destroying mosquito-breeding sites, particularly places where stagnant water could allow Aedes mosquitoes to reproduce.
Fogging Operations Expanded
Fogging operations have been intensified across areas associated with the parade and accommodation facilities.
The objective is to reduce adult mosquito populations and lower the risk of additional dengue transmission.
Chlorination and Sanitation Drives Underway
Officials have also begun wider chlorination and sanitation drives.
Public-health teams are inspecting accommodation areas, worker facilities and other locations where large numbers of people are staying during parade preparations.
100-Bed Medical Facility Available
Authorities said a 100-bed hospital facility in Ekta Nagar has been prepared to handle medical emergencies.
Three physicians are reportedly available around the clock to monitor personnel and provide treatment where required.
Dedicated Unit Created at SSG Hospital
A dedicated medical unit has also been established at SSG Hospital in Vadodara.
Patients requiring specialised or critical treatment can be transferred there from Ekta Nagar.
Daily Blood Tests Being Conducted
Doctors treating the infected BSF personnel are conducting regular blood tests.
In dengue cases, monitoring platelet levels, hydration and signs of complications is particularly important, especially during the period when fever begins to decline.
Mobile Health Units Deployed
Mobile medical teams have also been deployed for workers and employees involved in National Unity Day preparations.
These units are providing primary healthcare and helping identify fever or other symptoms at an early stage.
Five Motorcycle Ambulance Teams Positioned
Authorities have deployed five motorcycle ambulance teams to improve emergency response.
The teams are intended to reach patients quickly in crowded areas or locations where conventional ambulances may face delays.
PM Modi Scheduled to Attend Celebrations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend National Unity Day programmes at Ekta Nagar on October 30 and 31.
The high-profile attendance has led authorities to strengthen both security and public-health arrangements around the Statue of Unity complex.
Parade Scheduled for October 31
The main National Unity Day parade is scheduled for October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The parade at the Statue of Unity is one of the central events in the annual celebrations.
National Unity Day Marks Patel’s Birth Anniversary
India observes October 31 as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Patel played a central role in integrating hundreds of princely states into independent India and is frequently remembered as the “Iron Man of India.”
Ekta Nagar Expected to See Large Footfall
The celebrations are expected to attract a large number of security personnel, government officials, workers and visitors.
The increased movement of people makes health surveillance particularly important as authorities attempt to prevent additional dengue infections.
Earlier Dengue Cases Among Security Personnel
The latest cases come after dengue infections had already been reported among personnel preparing for the same National Unity Day programme earlier in October.
Security personnel from multiple forces had received treatment after developing fever and other symptoms during preparations in Gujarat.
Health Department Had Already Tightened Surveillance
Gujarat health authorities had previously ordered intensified fogging, fever surveillance and anti-larval measures after earlier dengue cases were detected among personnel connected with the parade.
Those precautions have now been expanded further following the infections in the Assam BSF contingent.
Dengue Spread Through Aedes Mosquitoes
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted mainly by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
The mosquitoes usually breed in stagnant water collected in containers, construction sites, discarded objects and other small water-holding spaces.
Symptoms Require Close Monitoring
Common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, body pain, nausea and rash.
Some patients can develop severe dengue, which may lead to bleeding, dangerously low blood pressure or organ complications and requires immediate medical treatment.
Parade Participation of Infected Personnel Uncertain
Officials have not confirmed whether the 21 affected BSF personnel will be able to participate in the parade.
Their involvement will depend on recovery and medical clearance before October 31.
Authorities Focus on Preventing Further Cases
With only days remaining before National Unity Day, public-health teams are concentrating on limiting further transmission.
Vector-control work, medical screening and rapid treatment are likely to continue throughout the preparations.
Celebrations Continue Under Health Watch
There has been no announcement that the National Unity Day programme or parade will be cancelled.
Preparations continue, but the dengue cases have added a significant health-management challenge for the administration ahead of the high-profile October 31 event.
Situation Being Closely Monitored
Health officials are expected to continue testing symptomatic personnel and monitoring those already undergoing treatment.
With thousands of people assembled in Ekta Nagar, preventing mosquito breeding and rapidly identifying new fever cases will remain a priority in the days leading up to the parade.
Source: The Indian Express, Narmada District Health Administration
Supreme News Network
