Malaria cases cross 1,000-mark in Mumbai

Malaria-related cases have crossed 1,000-mark in the city this month due to increased infrastructure activities and high humidity levels in the metropolis, a civic official said.

Malaria-related cases have crossed 1,000-mark in the city this month due to increased infrastructure activities and high humidity levels in the metropolis, a civic official said.

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"Nearly 1,192 cases of malaria have been reported since June 1 to June 15. Also, the collection of blood slides have increased by nearly 10,000 this month as compared to the same period last year," K M Hargoli, Assistant Health Officer (Malaria) told PTI.

In June 2008, the collected slides were 17,636 and this year 26,725 slides have been gathered for testing malaria cases, Hargoli said.

The civic officials attribute the rise in malaria cases to an increase in infrastructure activities and high humidity levels in the capital city.

"The rise in malaria cases is mainly due to the large number of infrastructure and construction projects undertaken this time besides the high humidity levels and soaring temperatures have also contributed to the rise of such cases, he said.

According to the officials, from January to June 15 this year, 3,12,372 slides were collected for testing of which 8,559 turned out to be positive.