Three dengue deaths in Mumbai in Oct; check your homes for mosquito breeding spots

As per data till November 2, 17 Mumbaiites have died of dengue this year

Although monsoon ended nearly two weeks ago, civic officials are still trying to destroy sites where the aedes aegypti mosquito breeds. After three people died of dengue last month, officials blamed breeding spots in homes and other private areas that are inaccessible to them.

Between January 1 and October 27, civic health workers have destroyed 26,236 breeding spots. (HT File)

Aedes aygepti mosquitoes tend to breed more during the monsoon owing to the accumulation of stagnant water. They carry viruses of dengue, malaria and chikungunya and bite people during the day.

This year, 17 Mumbaiites have died of dengue till November 2, according to data released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

“There must be more than a million breeding spots in the city. We can’t find and destroy all of them. The only way breeding can be curtailed is through better public awareness,” said Dr RajanNaringrekar, insecticide officer, BMC.

Municipal health workers inspect the homes of those who are suffering from or have succumbed to dengue. The neighbouring homes are also inspected.

Between January and October 27, health workers destroyed 26,236 breeding spots.

Dr Naringrekar said that indoors, mosquitoes commonly breed tin defrost trays of refrigerators, trays under plant pots and buckets and drums used to store water.

The BMC has sent notices to 14,954 houses and residential and commercial complexes for ignoring mosquito-breeding sites on their premises.

The civic body also has the authority to book people under section 381 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act and fine them between Rs2,000 and Rs10,000.