An 8-year-old girl from Lohegaon, Pune, died on October 18 after developing severe complications associated with a confirmed dengue infection. The case has been reported as the city’s first suspected dengue-related death of 2026, although a death audit committee will determine whether dengue was the cause of death. According to the treating medical team, the child had experienced fever and abdominal pain for four to five days before presenting for outpatient evaluation. She had previously consulted a local practitioner and undergone an ultrasound examination.

Subsequent laboratory testing confirmed dengue infection, with positive IgM ELISA, IgG ELISA, and NS1 antigen ELISA results. Her platelet count was initially approximately 200,000/µL, within the normal range. However, her condition subsequently deteriorated, and she developed breathlessness, hypotension, and severe respiratory…