Dengue is on the rise in Mumbai: Time to clean mosquito-breeding sites near you

Civic officials say people need to cooperate; experts blame weather

Although the rains are three months away, the city reported 44 cases of dengue in the first three months of 2019, compared to 19 during the corresponding period last year. While the cases of leptospirosis rose to 17, from last year’s five, the city saw 121 cases of swine flu from January to March. No case of swine flu was reported in the first three months of 2018.

Although the rains are three months away, the city reported 44 cases of dengue in the first three months of 2019, compared to 19 during the corresponding period last year. (HT File)

According to the public health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city witnessed 2,108 cases of gastroenteritis and 464 cases of malaria, compared to 2,023 and 657 last year.

While civic officials attributed the rise to the mosquito-breeding sites, unusual in the season, experts blamed the extreme weather conditions.

Doctors said very few patients needed hospitalisation, and most of them were treated in the outpatient department (OPD). “As the monsoon is yet to arrive, dengue breeding takes place in drinking water containers, tiers, construction sites, house plants, etc. While we are holding awareness drives, people need to cooperate and ensure such spots are cleaned regularly,” said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, BMC.

“Climatic conditions may be one of the many reasons for the spread of the virus, but patients’ profiles need to be studied thoroughly to find out the exact cause. Only 3% of dengue cases need hospitalisation and maybe 1% are treated in the intensive care units (ICU), so if patients keep an eye on the symptoms and approach doctors for quick diagnosis, we will be able to control the cases,” said Dr Om Srivastava, head of infectious diseases department, Jaslok Hospital.