Dengue cases rise in city hosps with mild symptoms & unusual gastro issues
Times of India | 19 August 2025
Kolkata: Several city private hospitals have seen a significant and sudden spike in dengue patients over the last week, with many suffering from unusual symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, leading to a rise in admissions. While most hospitals said they did not have more than two patients since June, the average has now gone up to five to seven a week.
Kolkata recorded its second dengue death in a week last Friday. A 35-year-old Behala resident succumbed to the virus at the School of Tropical Medicine. Eight dengue patients are admitted at Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital. Over the past week, 23 dengue tests were conducted at Woodlands OPD, with eight returning positive—a positivity rate of 35%.
"The typical symptoms remain—moderate to high-grade fever, body ache, headache, and loss of appetite. However, we are also observing atypical symptoms, especially gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea. This adds to the clinical burden by causing fluid and electrolyte imbalances, which in turn intensify the blood concentration commonly seen in dengue. As a result, fluid management in these patients requires a very measured and judicious approach," said Soutik Panda, head of critical care at Woodlands. He added that despite the incessant rainfall, dengue cases are notably fewer than last year, possibly due to effective civic measures.
Charnock Hospital has not seen a spike in dengue patients. "We have dengue patients admitted in our hospital now—both adult and child, and we are experiencing a seasonal increase in fever cases in our out-patient clinics. No major spike in dengue cases is seen as yet," said Rupali Basu, group CEO, Charnock Hospitals, Kolkata.
At Peerless Hospital, around six have tested positive in a week. "Along with other seasonal viruses, dengue has returned. The symptoms are usual—fever, body ache, and weakness—but not very severe so far. Those who tested positive include people from all age groups," said Peerless Hospital chief microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri. At BP Poddar Hospital, a 23-year-old man from Dum Dum tested positive last week while the blood sample of another 44-year-old suspected patient from Purulia was sent for testing.
Manipal Hospitals Broadway has two dengue patients while the Salt Lake unit has one. They are reported to be stable and currently in general wards while the Dhakuria unit has no dengue patient admitted. It had one who was discharged last week.
CMRI Hospital has more than 10 dengue patients admitted, including a couple in ICU. "After four to five days, symptoms get severe with persistent high fever, severe headache, and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting which have been common this time. Some of our patients also had hepatitis for which no additional treatment is required since it is triggered by dengue. But these patients need hospitalisation," said CMRI critical care consultant Anirban Chattopadhyay.
Sayan Chakraborty, infectious diseases physician at Manipal Hospitals, said: "We are getting some patients of dengue which are distributed across all our hospital units. The situation is under control so far. However, preventive measures like clearing stranded water and prevention from mosquito bites need to be taken strictly to control a spread.
"Symptoms have been slightly altered in some patients, said Abhijit Aich Bhaumik, consultant physician, BP Poddar Hospital. "One should not ignore symptoms like high-grade fever with bursting headache, retro-orbital (eye) pain, body ache, skin rashes, or even abdominal pain, vomiting, or any unusual bleeding. These are signs that require prompt medical attention. Drinking plenty of fluids is important, but self-medication should be avoided. While most cases can be managed effectively, timely diagnosis and medical supervision are crucial for patient safety," added Aich Bhaumik.