A 12-year-old girl from Motijheel in Dum Dum who had tested positive for dengue died on Wednesday morning, within hours of being admitted to a private hospital off VIP Road.
Sanjukta Pal was a Class VII student of a school in Motijheel, which is under South Dum Dum Municipality. She died at Charnock Hospital.
“The patient was admitted early on Wednesday in a critical state. Her blood pressure was not recordable and she was put on ventilation,” said an official at Charnock Hospital.
“We were told she was suffering from high fever for the last few days and she died of dengue shock.”
Sanjukta passed away around 11.30am. The death certificate mentions dengue shock syndrome.
The girl was admitted to a nursing home before she was shifted to Charnock
Hospital, said family members.
Neighbours said her father had tested positive for dengue, too, and was undergoing treatment.
On September 9, a 16-year-old girl from the same locality died at the Infectious Diseases and Beleghata General Hospital after testing positive for dengue.
The area under South Dum Dum Municipality has recorded 600 dengue cases since January, said an official of the civic body.
The authorities, he said, have stepped up awareness drives in all wards.
“Dengue cases have been on the rise in the area despite our repeated awareness drives and it remains a cause of concern for us,” said Sanjay Das, chairman-in-council member, health, South Dum Dum Municipality.
“In many cases, family members get fever patients tested only when he starts vomiting. The lapse of time is proving crucial.”
