Notice Issued to Doctor for Incorrect Disease Diagnosis, Creating Panic in Pune
Pune, 9th October 2024: With epidemics on the rise in the city due to the monsoon, an increase in private doctors declaring the presence of certain diseases has also been observed. In many cases, these diagnoses are found to be incorrect after further testing. In response, the Health Department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken action against doctors who are spreading such false information.
Recently, a private doctor claimed to have discovered a suspected case of West Nile fever, stating that it was the first case in the city in the last five years. However, after the PMC’s Health Department collected blood samples and sent them to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for analysis, the results revealed that the patient did not have West Nile fever, exposing the doctor’s misdiagnosis.
Assistant Health Officer of the PMC, Rajesh Dighe, clarified that West Nile fever is primarily found in North America and typically affects travelers returning from that region. He said, “The private doctor’s premature declaration of West Nile fever created unnecessary fear among patients. The same doctor also reported a Zika case to the PMC with a delay, which prompted us to take action. A notice has been issued to him.”
The rise of fever cases in the city has also led to some patients developing rashes, which a few private doctors incorrectly diagnosed as monkeypox.
Dighe added, “We have received complaints regarding this issue, and the Health Department had previously warned private doctors about spreading false information. A meeting was held to provide them with clear instructions on handling suspected epidemic cases.”
He emphasized that it is mandatory for private doctors to report suspected epidemic cases to the PMC Health Department before making public announcements. “It is irresponsible to disclose inaccurate information about serious diseases, and spreading misinformation is unacceptable. This is why action has been taken against the doctors involved,” Dighe concluded.
