Rise in swine flu, malaria cases

The monsoon has brought with it ailments like malaria and given a boost to the H1N1 virus that causes swine flu. Six Mumbaiites tested positive for swine flu on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases this month to 43.

The monsoon has brought with it ailments like malaria and given a boost to the H1N1 virus that causes swine flu. Six Mumbaiites tested positive for swine flu on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases this month to 43.

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The queues outside swine flu screening centres have lengthened — an average of 25 people were screened every day this week; one or two were screened per day during the summer. Dr Daksha Shah, of the civic epidemiology cell, said at least 15 people have been quarantined.

Forty-eight Mumbaiites were diagnosed with malaria and nearly 200 were hospitalised with fever and gastro-enteritis.

Civic officials said special fever out-patient-departments and wards have been set up at KEM, Nair and Sion Hospitals.

Dr Sanjay Oak, dean of KEM said the next 15 days would be a “test for civic hospitals”.

Boards are being put up at 2,600 chemists, advising people not to self-medicate for fever as it could be leptospirosis, dengue or swine flu.