Kolkata: On World Mosquito Day, noticed on Thursday, virologists and infectious illnesses specialists warned in opposition to mosquito-borne illnesses. In response to them, these illnesses have claimed over 400 lives within the state within the final decade. Kolkata accounted for 20%-30% of the casualties. Over a lakh had been contaminated by dengue, malaria and chikungunya in the course of the interval within the metropolis, making them essentially the most deadly infectious illnesses within the metropolis.Constant and heavier showers have in all probability helped curb the unfold of those illnesses this 12 months, together with larger consciousness and efficient civic measures, stated physicians. However the metropolis’s climate and civic situations nonetheless make it liable to an outbreak, they warned. “The variety of dengue and malaria sufferers has been low this 12 months,” stated Nishant Agarwal, head of emergency at Charnock Hospital. Inside Drugs Guide at Fortis Hospital Anandapur Joydeep Ghosh stated dengue stays an necessary public well being concern, and prevention is the best defence.An Aedes mosquito chew, which may transmit dengue, chikungunya or Zika, might seem as a small crimson bump accompanied by itching or delicate swelling. “The actual concern is the potential of fever or flu-like signs,” stated Ghosh. Dengue sometimes presents with sudden excessive fever, headache, muscle and joint ache, weak spot and typically a rash, stated Manipal Hospital infectious illnesses doctor Sayan Chakrabarty. Remedy is primarily supportive, with hydration and medical monitoring being necessary, stated Ghosh.GRAPH“World Mosquito Day 2026, with the theme ‘Taking Motion Collectively: Constructing Mosquito-Resilient Communities,’ highlights the necessity for collective and sustained efforts to stop mosquito-borne illnesses. Constructing resilient communities begins with particular person consciousness however requires households, neighbourhoods, healthcare professionals and native authorities to work collectively to scale back mosquito breeding and transmission.”Mosquito Day Resolutions:Each family, neighborhood and establishment has a task to play.Eradicate breeding websites, shield ourselves from mosquito bites, recognise signs early and search well timed medical careWe will collectively create more healthy and extra mosquito-resilient communities.Prevention, vigilance and well timed motion can save lives.Casualties Over the Previous Decade (2014–2024)Dengue: West Bengal recorded extreme annual spikes, with complete official state deaths ranging between 200 and 400+ total throughout the last decade. Throughout peak years, official annual state dying tolls ranged from 30 to 46+ (e.g., 46 deaths in 2017, 30 in 2022), although unofficial estimate stories frequently cited increased numbers on account of co-infections and classification delays. Of the state totals, Kolkata accounted for roughly 20–30% of complete casualties.Malaria: Malaria-related fatalities dropped considerably throughout the state, with official deaths remaining within the single digits or close to zero yearly. Kolkata stories hundreds of Plasmodium vivax and falciparum infections yearly, however deadly circumstances stay extraordinarily uncommon.Chikungunya: Whereas sporadic outbreaks and joint-pain morbidities happen all through Kolkata and Bengal, official information register 0 deaths from chikungunya, because the virus is non-fatal.Final Main Dengue Outbreak in Kolkata12 months: Essentially the most extreme outbreak in Kolkata occurred in 2023 (surpassing the earlier main outbreak in 2022).Casualties & Tally:Throughout West Bengal, official and well being division estimates recorded 90,000 to 100,000+ complete infections and over 100 casualties statewide.In Kolkata alone, complete dengue infections surpassed 13,000 circumstances, with over 25 to 40 reported deaths inside the metropolis limits and rapid metropolitan suburbs.
