Monsoon Maladies: Kolkata Braces for Rising Infections
Kolkata residents face a surge in monsoon-related illnesses as the rainy season arrives. Health experts anticipate an increase in various infections, urging preventive measures against a range of ailments from skin and viral issues to waterborne diseases.
Rising Health Concerns
The monsoon brings relief from the summer heat, but it also ushers in several diseases. Doctors report a rise in patients suffering from skin and viral infections, along with gastrointestinal and vector-borne illnesses. This season is known for viruses and bacteria to thrive, according to medical professionals.
Dr. Rahul Jain, an internal medicine specialist at Belle Vue Clinic, has observed an unusual increase in typhoid cases. He advises people to avoid unhygienic street food, as it’s often contaminated. While he has only seen one dengue case so far, he warns that the number could rise quickly.
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“Carrying an umbrella and extra clothes can save you from cold and cough. It is necessary to change into dry clothes after getting wet, especially for COPD patients. One should also take showers after getting drenched.”
—Dr. Joydeep Ghosh, Internal Medicine Specialist
According to the World Health Organization, typhoid fever affects an estimated 11–20 million people annually worldwide, resulting in about 128,000–161,000 deaths (WHO, 2024).
Preventive Measures
Dr. Joydeep Ghosh, an internal medicine specialist at Fortis Hospital Anandapur, highlighted the main health issues during the monsoon: chest infections due to temperature fluctuations, skin infections, and waterborne diseases like typhoid and viral hepatitis. He suggests carrying umbrellas and extra clothing to combat the effects of the weather.
The state health department is working with civic bodies to control mosquitoes, but doctors stress that public responsibility is key to preventing illness. Professor Alakes Kumar Kole of Neotia Mediplus noted that the monsoon brings coughs, colds, flu, viral fevers, and mosquito-borne diseases.
