Construction sites in Mumbai to be blamed for malaria

Doctors across the city agree that construction work is the chief cause of the current bout of malaria in the city.

In June this year, over 3,500 patients with malaria were admitted to hospitals, while over 1,250 have been hospitalised since July. Five patients have succumbed to the mosquito-borne menace so far.

“On Thursday, 118 patients with malaria were admitted to hospitals across the city,” said Dr Daksha Shah, in-charge of epidemiology, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

On Wednesday, officials from pesticide control department, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, traffic police, etc, teamed up and bored holes through 430-odd tyres kept as railing on the JJ Flyover.  “The water collected in the tyres serves as a mosquito breeding site,” an official said.

Around 361 employees visited various wards, including 61 construction sites. “At least 738 labourers were given presumptive medicine,” Shah said.

“Many of my patients live in high-rises or slums close to construction sites. While hygiene is a factor, it is important to have mosquito control,” said Dr SN Acharya from Kurla.