Mumbai: 17 dengue mosquito breeding spots at JJ hospital

A survey conducted by BMC in the wake of two cases of dengue among resident doctors of the Sir JJ Hospital in Byculla has revealed that there are 17 breeding spots for the dengue-transmitting mosquito on the premises.

A survey conducted by the civic body in the wake of two cases of dengue among resident doctors of the state-run Sir JJ Hospital in Byculla has revealed that there are 17 breeding spots for the dengue-transmitting mosquito, Aedes Aegypti, on the premises. Of these, three are in the hospital building, which houses patient and operation theatres.

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The 1,325-bedded hospital has close to 1,200 patients admitted. “A majority of the breeding spots were in the water drums and potted plants in the compound. We found larvae-breeding in trays kept behind the refrigerators,” said Rajan Naringrekar, chief insecticide officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The insecticide department conducted a house-to-house survey in the residential premises of doctors and other staff, along with screening of hospital wards and outpatient department areas.

“It is sad that a hospital has failed to take preventive steps. We are worried that the breeding inside the hospital may put patients and their relatives at a risk of dengue,” said a senior official from the insecticide department.

Of the two infected doctors, Dr Samarth Agarwal, 27, continues to remain on ventilator support in the critical care unit (CCU) of the hospital. “We have been conducting regular drives to prevent breeding of mosquitoes. The civic body has found breeding spots on the tarpaulin sheets, which have been removed now,” said Dr TP Lahane, dean of JJ Hospital, Byculla.

Civic data states between January and August, 279 people have been treated for dengue.