The incidence of water-borne diseases has been on the rise thanks to the increasing contamination of water in the city.
More than 2,689 Mumbaiites suffering from gastroenteritis were hospitalised in July and 1,680 landed up in hospitals with the ailment in June. Three hundred cases of gastroenteritis have already been reported in the first four days of August.
The number of cases this monsoon is 40 per cent higher compared to last year, said sources in the civic body on condition of anonymity.
Gastroenteritis is contracted by consumption of water and food contaminated by the E-coli bacteria.
Many cases of jaundice (Hepatitis E) and typhoid, which are also caused by drinking contaminated water, have been reported this year. At least 250 cases of jaundice were reported across the city in June. In February and March, there was an epidemic of jaundice in South Mumbai. More than 45 residents of Panchshil Housing Society at Worli Naka were diagnosed with jaundice and two women died due to the ailment.
“We treated eight to 10 cases of gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid every week last month,” said Dr Kushrav Bajan, intensive care physician at P.D. Hinduja Hospital, Mahim.
Doctors said that while there is a sharp increase in the number of cases of water-borne diseases every monsoon, the ailments have been a perennial phenomenon due to water contamination. “Four or five years ago, water-borne diseases were seen mostly during the monsoon. But the scenario has changed as cases are reported throughout the year now,” said Bajan.
{{/usCountry}}Doctors said that while there is a sharp increase in the number of cases of water-borne diseases every monsoon, the ailments have been a perennial phenomenon due to water contamination. “Four or five years ago, water-borne diseases were seen mostly during the monsoon. But the scenario has changed as cases are reported throughout the year now,” said Bajan.
{{/usCountry}}At KEM Hospital, at least one or two patients with gastroenteritis are admitted every day, said Dr Amar Pazare, who heads the medicine department.
Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.