{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "West Bengal schools told to swap skirts for full-sleeve uniforms as dengue cases climb",
  "summary": "With dengue cases crossing 4,000 and 7 deaths reported in West Bengal, Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee has urged schools to make children wear full-sleeve clothing instead of skirts.",
  "content": "Dengue cases are climbing steadily across West Bengal, and that has prompted the state's Health Minister, Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee, to make a pointed appeal about what children wear to school. He said mosquito bites are spreading both dengue and malaria, so covering the body as much as possible is the simplest way to keep children safe.\n\nFull pants and shirts for boys, salwar suits for girls\nDr. Sharadwat Mukherjee has urged headmasters to make sure children wear full-body clothing at school for the next three months, whatever the regular uniform happens to be. He was direct about one thing: girls should not be sent to school in skirts, and should instead wear a salwar that fully covers the legs. He also pointed out that many parents rely on knee-high socks, but that does not offer real protection, because the socks are thin and cling to the skin, leaving children just as exposed to bites. For boys, he recommended full-length pants paired with full-sleeve shirts. He called this a genuinely important step and said the goal is to try to bring dengue numbers down specifically across September, October and November.\n\nMore than 4,000 cases and 7 deaths so far\nDengue outbreaks in West Bengal tend to turn severe every year during the monsoon season. In 2026 alone, the state has already recorded more than 4,000 dengue cases. The worst-affected areas are Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas. Official figures put the state's dengue death toll at 7 so far. Health officials are clearly worried about the numbers rising further in the coming weeks, which is why this school-level prevention push has been rolled out.\n\nDengue symptoms to watch for\n• High fever, typically 101 to 105°F, lasting 2 to 7 days\n• Nausea and vomiting\n• Severe headaches and pain behind the eyes\n• Skin rashes\n• Muscle and joint pain\n• A drop in platelet count\n• Bleeding from the nose or gums\n• Restlessness and difficulty breathing\n• Persistent vomiting, at least 3 times within 24 hours\n\nHow to protect against dengue\n• Wear clothing that covers the body fully.\n• Do not let water collect anywhere at home, especially in coolers, flowerpots, tyres, tanks or buckets, and clean them out every week.\n• Use a mosquito net even while sleeping during the day.\n• Fit mesh screens on windows to keep mosquitoes from entering the house.\n\nHealth officials believe that even these small precautions can meaningfully cut dengue numbers, provided schools and parents both take the appeal seriously.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis appeal directly shapes everyday decisions for parents and schools about what children wear each morning.\n\n• Across India: The risk of dengue and malaria rises in many parts of the country after the monsoon. Parents elsewhere can apply the same precautions, full-sleeve clothing and mosquito nets, to protect their own children.\n• In West Bengal: Schools in the state need to adjust uniforms for the next three months, September through November. Girls will need salwars that cover the legs instead of skirts, and boys will need full pants and full-sleeve shirts.\n• Health risk: Families in Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad should stay especially alert, since these areas have recorded the most cases. Anyone noticing fever, rashes or a falling platelet count should see a doctor right away.\n• At home: Standing water in coolers, pots, tyres and buckets needs to be cleared out every week. It is a small task, but skipping it raises the risk of mosquito breeding right at home.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. How many dengue cases has West Bengal recorded so far?\nThe state has recorded more than 4,000 dengue cases so far in 2026.\n\n2. How many people have died of dengue in the state?\nOfficial figures show 7 dengue deaths have been recorded in West Bengal so far.\n\n3. What has the Health Minister asked schools to do?\nDr. Sharadwat Mukherjee has asked schools to make boys wear full pants and full-sleeve shirts, and girls wear salwars that cover the legs instead of skirts.\n\n4. For how long is this appeal meant to apply?\nThe appeal covers three months, September, October and November.\n\n5. Which areas have seen the worst dengue outbreak?\nKolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas have reported the highest number of cases.\n\n6. Why don't knee-high socks offer enough protection?\nThe minister said the socks are thin and cling to the skin, which still lets mosquitoes bite through them.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/west-bengal/west-bengal-ke-skulon-men-aba-skarta-ki-jagaha-phula-dresa-pahanane-ki-hidayata-dengu-ke-mamale-barhane-para-mntri-ne-di-salaha-28317",
  "category": "West Bengal",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-05",
  "tags": [
    "West Bengal dengue",
    "dengue symptoms",
    "school dress code",
    "dengue prevention",
    "Kolkata dengue cases",
    "Bengal health minister"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}