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Kolkata witnessed its first dengue-related fatality of the 2025 monsoon season as a 13-year-old girl from Dum Dum succumbed to the disease on Saturday morning, just four days after the official onset of monsoon rains in the city. The deceased, identified as Saroni Banerjee, was a Class VII student at Dum Dum Baidyanath Institution for Girls and resided in Gorabazar, Ward 18, under Dum Dum Municipality.
Saroni passed away at a private nursing home in Topsia, where she had been receiving treatment for dengue. Her death certificate listed dengue shock syndrome as the immediate cause of death. The tragic incident has caused panic among residents of Dum Dum and surrounding areas, where dengue cases have reportedly begun to rise following the onset of heavy rains.
Local residents have raised concerns over waterlogging after recent showers, which they claim have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. They have criticized civic authorities for failing to address the situation effectively. In response, Dum Dum municipal officials stated that regular anti-dengue drives and door-to-door inspections are being conducted. Harendra Singh, chairman of Dum Dum Municipality, expressed shock and sorrow over the death, stating, “It is an extremely unfortunate incident. We are shocked at the death of such a young girl.” He noted that only two dengue cases, including Saroni’s, had been reported in the municipality this season, and suggested that the girl may have contracted the disease during a recent trip outside her locality.
According to family sources, Saroni had traveled to Digha with her family a couple of weeks prior to falling ill. After returning home, she developed a fever on June 9 and was initially treated by a local physician. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, with high fever, chest pain, and vomiting prompting a blood test that confirmed dengue, despite her platelet count remaining at 1,64,000. The family alleged inadequate medical attention at South Dum Dum Municipal Hospital before she was shifted to private healthcare facilities, where she was eventually admitted to the ICU at Zodiac Medicare & Hospital in Topsia. She passed away while on ventilator support.
Residents of Dum Dum Cantonment and neighboring areas called for increased vigilance from municipal authorities, citing recurring high dengue case numbers in localities such as Motijheel, Madhugarh, Durganagar, and Gorabazar during every monsoon season.
Disclaimer:
This news article is based on information from published reports and may be subject to updates as new details emerge. Readers are advised to verify facts independently and follow official health advisories for dengue prevention and treatment.
