3 hrs ago
West Bengal Dengue Cases Double As Monsoon Raises Health Concerns
West Bengal is seeing dengue cases rise quickly during the monsoon season.
More than 5,000 cases were reported by September 11.
Murshidabad, Kolkata and North 24 Parganas have reported the most cases.
Mosquitoes that spread dengue can grow in small amounts of still water around homes.
People should empty or cover buckets, flowerpots and other containers that collect water.
Dengue can cause fever, headache, body pain, nausea, vomiting and rashes.
A person may become more seriously ill even after the fever starts to fall.
Severe stomach pain, bleeding, unusual sleepiness or fast breathing need urgent medical attention.
Doctors also advise against taking aspirin or ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends them.
West Bengal reported 5,002 dengue cases by September 11, up from fewer than 2,500 at the end of August.
Murshidabad recorded 1,072 cases, followed by Kolkata with 500 and North 24 Parganas with 450.
The state designated 29 municipalities, 85 community development blocks and 278 village panchayats as dengue hotspots.
Authorities ordered intensified surveillance, door-to-door monitoring and testing campaigns through October 15.
Doctors urged residents to remove stagnant water, avoid self-medication and seek care for persistent fever or warning signs.
- Who
- West Bengal residents, state health authorities and healthcare professionals, including Dr Joydeep Ghosh, are involved in the outbreak response.
- What
- Dengue cases in West Bengal rose to 5,002, more than doubling from fewer than 2,500 at the end of August.
- Where
- West Bengal, with the highest reported numbers in Murshidabad, Kolkata and North 24 Parganas.
- When
- The reported total was recorded by September 11; intensified testing was ordered through October 15.
- Why
- Monsoon conditions and stagnant water can create breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes, increasing dengue transmission.
Shared Public-Health Responsibility
Individual Household Prevention
How dengue should be controlled
Shared Public-Health Responsibility
State authorities and healthcare systems should lead vector control, surveillance, testing, breeding-site removal and public-awareness efforts.
Individual Household Prevention
Residents must regularly inspect and clear water from homes, terraces, balconies, gardens, drains and containers because dengue mosquitoes can breed in small amounts of stagnant water.
How illness should be managed
Shared Public-Health Responsibility
Health workers and doctors emphasize prompt testing, medical assessment and monitoring of warning signs, fluid status, urine output, haematocrit and blood counts.
Individual Household Prevention
Patients should avoid self-medication and should not rely only on a single platelet reading; they should seek medical advice and follow guidance on repeat tests and treatment.
Key facts
- Reported cases
- 5,002 dengue cases as of September 11
- Previous comparison
- Fewer than 2,500 cases were reported at the end of August
- Most affected district
- Murshidabad, with 1,072 cases
- Other leading areas
- Kolkata reported 500 cases and North 24 Parganas reported 450
- Hotspots
- 29 municipalities, 85 community development blocks and 278 village panchayats
- Testing campaign
- Intensive testing was ordered through October 15
- Key medical warning
- The critical phase commonly occurs three to seven days after illness begins, even if fever declines
Quotes
Dr Joydeep Ghosh
Consultant in internal medicine at Fortis Hospital Anandapur
“Even small quantities of clean, stagnant water collected in flowerpots, buckets, discarded containers, rooftop areas and other household spaces can become breeding grounds.”
NDTV










