Pregnant woman dies of suspected dengue

Nirmala D M (23), eight months pregnant, died of suspected dengue at a private hospital here on Thursday.

A resident of Kyalasanahalli in Horamavu ward, she developed fever a week ago and was admitted to Seventh Day Adventist Hospital.

According to Nirmala’s relative Vijay Kumar, tests conducted on her at the hospital confirmed  she had contracted dengue fever. Her condition worsened and she was referred to Manipal Hospital for further treatment.

Though she was treated at the Manipal Hospital, her condition never improved. The baby died in the womb and she died of excessive bleeding on Thursday.

However, she was tested negative for dengue at the Manipal Hospital.

Dr Sudarshan Ballal, medical director of the hospital, said Nirmala had some ‘viral illness’ and symptoms of dengue, but her blood samples tested negative for the fever.

Kyalasanahalli does not have a public health centre or any private hospital. Residents of the area have to travel nearly two kilometres to Kothanur for the nearest hospital, said Vijay Kumar.

After learning about Nirmala’s illness, some health inspectors from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike visited her house.