Health Department: Bengal Dengue Toll Goes Up to 3, Confirmed Cases 638

The health department has said that with the death of an 11-year-old boy in Kolkata, the dengue epidemic has claimed its third victim in the state. The number of confirmed cases has gone up to 638.

"An 11-year-old boy has died of dengue in B.C. Roy Child hospital today (Saturday). The total toll of dengue deaths in the state is three. The number of confirmed dengue cases in West Bengal has gone up to 638," said a health department statement.

Nine-year old Sreeja Das was the first dengue victim in the state.

The epidemic first struck in the second week of August.

Several people in and around Kolkata have been hospitalised with symptoms similar to dengue.

The dengue-prone areas have been divided into category A and B, going by the intensity of the disease in the area. Kolkata is under category A and areas of Howrah, Siliguri and Asansol are under category B.

Source: IANS

Dengue / Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general information about Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

Dengue

Dengue is a tropical disease caused by mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, joint & muscle ache, fatigue, nausea and skin rash.

Mosquito Diseases

Mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria, filaria, dengue, etc are common in places conducive of mosquito breeding. Swamps, ponds and stagnated drainage provide optimal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by mosquito bites; it causes fever, severe joint pain and rash on the body. Chikungunya occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian sub continent.

Dengue Vaccine

Several dengue vaccines are under development. Dengvaxia, Sanofi’s live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine is already commercially available in 10 dengue endemic countries.

Health Insurance - India

Health insurance has emerged as one of the fastest growing segments in the non-life insurance industry with 30% growth in 2010-11 with annual premium collections being over Rs 6,000 crores.