Siliguri, Sep 18 (IANS): A total of 74 confirmed dengue patients are admitted in a government hospital in Siliguri town of West Bengal, an official said Wednesday.

"There are 74 confirmed dengue cases admitted now. Half of them are serious," North Bengal Medical College and Hospital Superintendent Sabyasachi Das said.

One person has died of the disease in Darjeeling in the last few days, said District Chief Medical Officer (Health) Subir Bhowmick.

A 31-year-old woman, Sarada Sha, died in the hospital Wednesday due to encephalitis, an ailment of the brain, Das said.

Around 700 suspected dengue cases have been reported in Darjeeling and adjoining Jalpaiguri district.

"Confirmatory tests are being done. Three hundred of them are from Darjeeling and four hundred from Jalpaiguri," said a health official.

The patients were admitted in various hospitals and nursing homes in the region.

The local authorities have opened blood testing and awareness camps, while stressing on mosquito control and garbage clearance.