Mumbai Monsoon Health Alert: H1N1 Cases Surge 612 Per Cent, Malaria Rises 20.1 Pc As BMC Intensifies Disease Surveillance
Mumbai, September 2: H1N1 (swine flu) and malaria cases have emerged as major health concerns in Mumbai this monsoon, even as several other seasonal illnesses have declined. According to BMC Public Health Department data up to August 31, the city recorded 4,485 malaria cases between June and August, compared to 3,733 during the corresponding period last year — a 20.1 per cent rise. The sharpest…
Mumbai's monsoon season has brought an increase in two major health concerns - H1N1 (swine flu) and malaria. According to the BMC Public Health Department, malaria cases rose by 20.1% between June and August this year compared to the same period last year. The number of H1N1 cases jumped a staggering 612% during the same period, going from 62 last year to 441 this year.
BMC officials are actively screening and treating suspected H1N1 patients with oseltamivir. Close contacts of infected individuals are being monitored for 10 days and door-to-door surveys are being conducted in affected areas. The civic body believes hospitals have enough beds, ventilators, PPE kits and medicines to handle hospitalised patients.
Despite this rise in two illnesses, other monsoon-related diseases have declined. Dengue cases fell by nearly 21%, from 1,972 to 1,563. Chikungunya cases dropped by an impressive 88%, from 370 to just 46. Leptospirosis cases reduced by 37%, from 406 to 255. Gastroenteritis cases fell by 11%, from 2,197 to 1,954, while COVID-19 cases plummeted by 77%, from 668 to 151.
To combat mosquito-borne diseases, the BMC has intensified vector control measures, inspecting 12,55,469 potential mosquito breeding sites. They found and removed 27,352 mosquito breeding locations. They also removed 1,807 tyres and 59,841 scrap items from rooftops and premises. The civic body has reported increased malaria cases in several key wards, including E Ward (Byculla, Madanpura and Mazgaon), K-West Ward (Andheri West, Nehru Nagar and Amboli), G-South Ward (Worli and BDD Chawl), F-South Ward (Parel, Bhoiwada and Sewri), and H-West Ward (Hill Road, Turner Road, Pali Hill and Perry Cross Road).
Leptospirosis cases are being reported more frequently in F-North Ward (Wadala), M-East Ward (Govandi), T Ward (Mulund), K-East Ward (Andheri East) and G-North Ward (Dharavi and Matunga). Increased gastroenteritis cases have been reported in L Ward (Kurla), H-West Ward (Bandra West), K-West Ward (Andheri West), N Ward (Ghatkopar) and H-East Ward (Khar).
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