40% of Kolkata households hit by viral infections: Survey
What's the story
Four in 10 households in Kolkata have had at least one person suffering from health conditions such as cough, congestion, fever, body ache, and fatigue in the last 30 days, a LocalCircles survey found. This comes amid a rise in adenovirus and other viral infections, News18 reported. Reportedly, more than 1,000 households responded to the survey platform, with 63% male and 37% female respondents.
Rising patients
80% of intensive care cases related to adenovirus
According to the survey, adenovirus is responsible for 70-80% of intensive care cases. Furthermore, doctors on the ground told LocalCircles that school children are infected with the virus and are being treated by the Outpatient Departments (OPDs). Ten children— newborn to three years old— with adenovirus symptoms died in the span of 48 hours in Kolkata and Bankura, the New Indian Express reported.
About adenovirus
Adenovirus has common cold-like symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adenovirus can cause mild to severe illness. People with weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease, are at higher risk of developing severe infection. The adenovirus infection can cause fever, sore throat, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, pink eye, acute gastroenteritis, and flu-like symptoms. Adenovirus is most common among children below five.