Pune: Construction Sites Emerge As Dengue Breeding Hotspots

Pune reported 1,826 dengue cases between January and October 2026, with September seeing 662 cases. The city faced a 48.2% decline in 2025 compared to 2024, where it recorded 5,340 cases. Construction sites, stagnant water, and mosquito breeding are significant concerns for civic health officials. Assistant Medical Officer of Health Dr Rajesh Madhukar Dighe explained that construction activity and water accumulation create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, affecting construction workers and nearby residents.

Construction sites often require large quantities of water for curing concrete slabs, and water may accumulate in various areas, becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can spread to nearby residential buildings, posing a risk to people living on higher floors. In 2025, dengue cases peaked during the monsoon and post-monsoon period, with September 2026 seeing 662 cases, approximately 9.6% higher than September 2025.

PMC conducted 13,90,554 property inspections from January to September 2026, finding larvae at 12,939 properties and 18,885 breeding-positive water containers. The civic body issued 2,651 notices and collected fines totaling ₹5,57,100. Residents near construction sites are urged to take precautions, such as ensuring water does not stagnate and removing factors that collect rainwater.

Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and skin rashes. Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, or unusual drowsiness require urgent medical attention.