BMC expects more swine flu cases

Three more Mumbaiites tested positive for swine flu on Thursday, taking the total number of cases in June to 46. More than 20 patients have been discharged from the hospital. The cooler weather during monsoon could mean more swine flu cases in the coming weeks, said the BMC.

Three more Mumbaiites tested positive for swine flu on Thursday, taking the total number of cases in June to 46. More than 20 patients have been discharged from the hospital. The cooler weather during monsoon could mean more swine flu cases in the coming weeks, said the BMC.

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“The virus is still in the environment and we expect more swine flu cases through June, but the rise cannot be termed an outbreak,” said Dr Daksha Shah, from the BMC’s epidemiology cell.

Malaria cases are also on the rise. On Wednesday and Thursday a total of 59 people were diagnosed with malaria and more than 200 were hospitalised with fever and gastroenteritis, according to BMC records.

The BMC is going to put up boards at 2,600 chemists across the city, advising people to not self-medicate for fever, as it could be leptospirosis, dengue or swine flu. “We are holding workshops to sensitise private practitioners about symptoms of various ailments,” said Dr G.T. Ambe, BMC’s executive health officer.