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The
Damage
From August 26, 1994, outbreaks of bubonic and pneumonic plague
were reported in south-central, south-western, and northern India.
Because most of the reports were unconfirmed, the extent of the
outbreaks was unclear. However, a total of 693 suspected bubonic
or pneumonic plague cases with positive test results for antibodies
to Yersinia pestis were reported by India to the World Health
Organisation (WHO). Cases were reported from five states, Maharashtra
(488 cases), Gujarat (77 cases), Karnataka (46 cases), Uttar Pradesh
(10 cases), and Madhya Pradesh (4 cases) and from the federal
district of New Delhi (68 cases). Some 156 fatal plague cases
were reported nationwide.
On September 22, 1994,
cases of pneumonic plague were found in the city of Surat, Gujarat.
By September 26, several hundred pneumonic plague cases and numerous
deaths were noted. Surat was officially closed.
The
Relief Operation
The Sanstha has an
active centre in Surat. As soon as the outbreak of the plague
was reported, Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj ordered medicines
to be sent immediately to the city.
- More than 1,00,000 Tetracycline
tablets and mouth-guides were distributed free.
- Moreover, the volunteers of
the Sanstha served food and tea to more than 3,000 pneumonic
plague patients in the Civil Hospital of Surat for more than
one month on request of the Collector of Surat.
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