Veteran Bengali actor and former BJP leader Joy Banerjee passed away on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the age of 62. He breathed his last at 11:35 am at a private hospital near the Bypass in Kolkata. Joy had been struggling with a long-standing respiratory illness and diabetes, and in the past few days, his health had taken a turn for the worse. Doctors said complications from pneumonia were the main cause of his death.
Joy’s battle with pneumonia
According to The Indian Express Bangla, Banerjee had been battling a long-standing respiratory illness and diabetes. His condition worsened in the past few days, leading to his hospitalisation. He was admitted to Medica Hospital on August 15 and discharged the following day. However, his health deteriorated, and on August 17, he was put on a ventilator. Despite medical efforts, he passed away on August 25 due to respiratory complications after being diagnosed with pneumonia.
What is pneumonia?
According to the Mayo Clinic, pneumonia is a serious lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs (called alveoli) to become inflamed. This can lead to symptoms like cough, fever, chills, trouble breathing, and chest pain. Pneumonia can be caused by different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Common bacterial causes include Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), while viral causes include the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that pneumonia is the single largest infectious cause of death in children under the age of five, accounting for 14 per cent of all deaths in this age group. In 2019, pneumonia killed 740,180 children under five years old worldwide.
Who is most at risk of pneumonia?
According to the Mayo Clinic, certain groups are more vulnerable to pneumonia and are at higher risk of developing severe complications. Young children under five, especially in low-resource settings, are particularly at risk, as are adults over 65 whose immune systems may be weaker due to age. People with chronic health conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, or diabetes also face a higher risk.
Smoking can damage the lungs and weaken the immune system, making smokers more susceptible, while immunocompromised people, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or living with HIV/AIDS, are especially vulnerable. These groups should take extra precautions, including vaccination and prompt medical care, to protect themselves from pneumonia.
Precautionary measures to prevent pneumonia
As per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccines, like the pneumococcal and Hib vaccines, can protect against some types of pneumonia. Simple steps like washing your hands regularly and staying away from sick people can also help. Living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking keeps your immune system strong. Good nutrition, especially for children, is very important, and cleaner air with less pollution can also reduce the risk of lung infections.
The global burden of pneumonia remains significant. In 2021, pneumonia claimed the lives of 2.2 million people, including 502,000 children.