You may not believe this but it is true. The lucky bamboo plant, a popular feng shui cure used to bring health and happiness, could be a source of trouble.
The civic health department has warned that such feng shui artefacts are potential breeding spots for mosquitoes that spread malaria and it is appealing to people to remove them from homes and offices in its clean-up campaign ahead of the monsoon.
The ward-level awareness campaign is being conducted through meetings at housing societies as well as corporate offices, to educate people on measures to prevent the spread of malaria that has taken a serious toll in recent years.
"Our health officers have been holding workshops to spread awareness on curbing malaria cases in the city. During our neighbourhood visits we have found many people using these bamboo plants at home and in the office that are potential breeding spots for mosquitoes. We appeal to them to remove them," said Dr Arun Bamne, executive health officer.
Since January, there have been 1,622 cases of malaria with three deaths suspected due to the disease. In April, there were 22 cases. Yet, doctors say that these are sporadic instances and nothing to be too worried about.
Dr Hemant Gupta, consultant physician at Bombay Hospital, said most of the cases at the institution were marked by high-grade fever, headache, dehydration and fatigue.
"Cases of malaria and dengue that usually happened only during the monsoon are now seen throughout the year. The BMC should undertake fogging regularly at water-logged construction sites, as construction work goes on all the year round," Dr Gupta said.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite and can be fatal. The symptoms include high fever, shivering that's more severe than when one catches the flu.
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