Malaria claims another life

A 22-year-old man from Bandra died of malaria on Monday and a 40-year-old man succumbed to swine flu-related complications at Nair Hospital on Sunday.

A 22-year-old man from Bandra died of malaria on Monday and a 40-year-old man succumbed to swine flu-related complications at Nair Hospital on Sunday.

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A total of three people have succumbed to malaria within the first three days of August. On Tuesday alone, public hospitals in the city recorded 543 positive cases of malaria.

"The malaria patient was an alcoholic, which worsened his condition," said Dr G T Ambe, executive health officer of the BMC.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, speaking at an event at Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, on Tuesday, said that the malaria issue should not be politicised.

"The situation is not so bad, it's under control. The state government is monitoring the BMC's efforts to keep malaria in check," said Chavan.

Meanwhile, three more people have tested positive for swine flu on Tuesday, taking the total number of H1N1 cases in the city to 33 in August.

The swine flu patient, who died on Sunday, worked as a security guard in Breach Candy and was first admitted to a private hospital on July 30.

His throat swab was sent for testing and he was administered Tamiflu on July 31.

"He was transferred to Nair Hospital on August 1 after his condition worsened," said Ambe.

Among other rain-related illnesses, public hospitals in the city also recorded 360 cases of fever, 55 cases of gastroenteritis, and five cases of dengue.