Dengue kills man in Kolkata, toll rises to 3 this season

Dengue has claimed another life in West Bengal, with a 36-year-old Kolkata resident, Bittu Singh, succumbing to the illness. Singh, a resident of Jorabagan, was admitted to a local hospital with a high fever. His condition worsened quickly, and the death certificate listed dengue fever as the cause. This brings the dengue death toll in the state to three this season.

Health authorities are reporting a concerning rise in dengue cases, with over 7,500 cases recorded in Kolkata alone. Statewide, more than 15,000 people have been infected, marking a significant increase. Despite these figures, officials from the State Health Department and Municipal Council note that the current outbreak appears to be milder compared to the previous year.

The surge in cases has intensified following the Kali Puja festivities, affecting at least seven districts, including Kolkata. Many patients visiting government-run fever clinics are showing symptoms of both dengue and malaria. In fact, nearly half of the patients in at least six South Bengal districts are being diagnosed with both infections simultaneously, a situation that is creating serious health challenges.

To manage this alarming rise, the Health Department has initiated several measures. Fever clinics have been set up in primary health centers and medical colleges across the state. District health officers have been instructed to stock an adequate supply of dengue test kits to meet the growing demand for testing. Additionally, information on the daily number of dengue and malaria tests conducted is being sent to the Community Medicine and Public Health Department.