Dengue Claims Life of Kolkata Teen Amidst Community Concerns
A 13-year-old girl’s death due to dengue in Kolkata has sparked a health alert. Local officials are investigating, while residents voice worries about the spread of the disease and the efficacy of current preventative measures.
Investigation and Response
Following the death of Saroni Banerjee, a class VII student, a door-to-door fever survey was conducted in the Dum Dum neighborhood. Municipality officials reported no new cases. Harendra Singh, the Dum Dum Municipality chairman, expressed shock at the death, stating only two dengue cases, including Saroni’s, have been reported in the municipality this year.
Singh added that health officials visited Saroni’s area and are closely monitoring it. Anti-larval spraying and clean-up drives are ongoing. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disease’s contraction. Saroni had recently returned from a trip.
“We were surprised because there were no other reported cases in her locality. She recently travelled to Digha with her family, and we suspect she might have contracted dengue there,”
—Harendra Singh, Dum Dum Municipality chairman
Gitika Banerjee, Saroni’s mother and an ASHA worker, stated that her daughter developed a fever shortly after the trip. The death certificate listed “septic shock and dengue shock syndrome” as the cause of death. According to the World Health Organization, there has been an eightfold increase in dengue cases globally since 2000 (WHO, 2024).
Local Conditions and Preventative Measures
A field visit revealed open garbage heaps and stagnant water near Saroni’s home. Residents reported significant waterlogging during the monsoon, indicating drainage issues. Kousturi Chowdhury, the South Dum Dum Municipality chairperson, denies any dengue cases in her area, highlighting year-round preventative efforts.
The South Dum Dum area saw a significant dengue outbreak in 2023. Authorities in the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation area and the New Town Kolkata Development Authority have also started dengue control drives.