Kolkata is currently grappling with a significant viral outbreak that has affected hundreds of residents, including children, as minimum temperatures dropped below 18°C in the city. The sudden cold spell has triggered a surge in respiratory illnesses that has kept hospital OPDs crowded over the past five days.
Hospitals Overflow with Patients
Medical facilities across Kolkata have reported unusually high patient volumes, with physicians identifying multiple viruses behind the current health crisis. Doctors have detected viruses including rhino, RSV, and meta-pneumo in many patients, though some cases have presented with undetectable viruses that remain unidentified.
Manipal Hospital infectious diseases physician Dr. Sayan Chakrabarty confirmed the connection between weather changes and the viral spurt. "The drop in mercury since last week led to a virus spurt," he stated. "It's mostly with upper respiratory tract symptoms, like cough, wheezing, congestion and fever."
Multiple Pathogens Identified
The outbreak isn't limited to viral infections alone. Medical professionals have also documented cases of streptococcus pneumonia and haemophilus pneumonia, both bacterial infections that can complicate recovery. Dr. Chakrabarty expressed concern that "this spate of respiratory illnesses could lead to a pneumonia outbreak."
At Charnock Hospital, emergency department head Dr. Nishant Agarwal reported alarming statistics. "Around 30% admissions now are due to viral infections, and they account for 15%-20% of all admitted patients," he revealed. The symptoms observed include high fever lasting seven to ten days, cough, throat discomfort, body ache, and severe diarrhoea in some cases.
Mystery Virus Suspected
What concerns medical experts most is that some patients tested positive for viruses that don't match any known pathogens. Dr. Agarwal noted, "Some were tested and the viruses were not any of the known ones. There could be a new virus."
The situation at Peerless Hospital mirrors this pattern, where several patients tested positive for non-Covid coronaviruses alongside bacterial-triggered pneumonia cases. Chief microbiologist Dr. Bhaskar Narayan Chowdhury confirmed that "the numbers have swelled after the temperature dip."
BP Poddar Hospital has received 39 patients recently, with three requiring admission due to abnormal vital parameters, according to Supriyo Chakraborty, group adviser at the hospital.
Weather Fluctuations Blamed
Medical experts point to the significant temperature variations as the primary culprit. Dr. Abhijit Aich Bhaumik, consultant physician at BP Poddar, explained that "fluctuations between daytime warmth and cooler nights were causing a viral infection rise."
The smoggy conditions in Kolkata have raised additional concerns. Dr. Agarwal warned that "the smoggy air could soon start COPD and asthma flare-ups," potentially creating a compounded health crisis.
Vulnerable Groups and Prevention
Certain demographics face higher risks in this outbreak. Those above 65 and below 12 years old are particularly susceptible to bacterial infections, according to Dr. Chakrabarty. He emphasized that "a subsidiary infection could be dangerous" for these age groups.
Doctors recommend preventive measures, including timely influenza and pneumococcal vaccines to reduce the risk of severe infections. Dr. Bhaumik stressed that vaccination "can reduce the risk of severe infections" amid the ongoing health crisis.
While Charnock Hospital hasn't seen a significant rise in pneumonia patients yet, medical authorities fear a spurt might be imminent given the continuing weather changes affecting the city.
