If the state health department figures are to be believed, Mumbai reportedly has one of the highest number of dengue positive cases this year. As per the data, the city had 347 dengue cases from January till September, while Pimpri-Chinchwad corporation had 247, Thane corporation had 182 and Pune corporation reported 164 cases.
Breaking down the statistics
The information provided by the BMC's health department also points at Mumbai having as many as 167 cases in September itself, while October has 134 so far.
Dr Kanchan Jagtap, joint director, epidemiology department of state government said, "Since January, we have reported 3,565 dengue cases in Maharashtra, out of which Chandrapur leads the chart at 636. Mumbai corporation has been doing excellent work in the awareness and control. It has reported 347 cases."
What has led to the rise in Dengue cases?
Dr Jagtap also said that it was the intermittent rainfall that has led to a rise in Dengue cases, but Dengue case positivity remains the same as last year – at 10-12%.
What areas have the highest cases?
Dr Mangala Gomare, head of the epidemiology department in the BMC, said, "Dadar, Parel, Prabhadevi, Walkeshwar, Bandra, Ghatkopar are still showing high incidence of dengue. We are hoping that with a dip in temperature, there will be a fall in the cases too."
Breeding sites of the mosquito that carries the virus
The BMC health official said that 80% of the breeding sites of the Aedes mosquito, carrier of the virus, are found indoors. Around 60% of such cases are seen in affluent housing societies where the department has found breeding spots in mini-fountains, feng-shui plants and miniature artificial ponds.
BMC staff working overtime to clear backlogs
With elections over, BMC has asked its staff from the health department not to take extra leaves and work extra to clear backlogs.
"Many of our staff had to work double shifts because of election duty, but now they are back. They are still working extra hours to complete the backlog. We have requested them not to take extra holidays, apart from public holidays for Diwali. We will see the result in next 10-15 days," said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, BMC.
People with co-morbidities to be more wary
Doctors have warned people with co-morbidities (the presence of additional ailments) like diabetes or hypertension to be more careful. "People shouldn't take fever lightly. Early diagnosis is a must because with co-morbid factors, complications can increase if not treated on time," said Dr Khusrav Bajan, an intensivist at PD Hinduja Hospital.
Many doctors are also tending to patients positive for malaria, dengue and typhoid.
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