Diseases precede showers

Rains lashed the city on Friday but rain diseases have already made its presence felt.
At least five people have died of malaria this month and 2,284 have undergone treatment. The out patient departments of private hospitals have been flooded with patients suffering from viral fever, malaria and gastroenteritis.

At least 20 people have been diagnosed with dengue in June. Last week, a Cuff parade resident died of dengue. “The mosquito menace is slightly high this year but adequate steps have been taken,” Dr Daksha Shah, the head of BMC’s epidemiology cell, said.
BMC has stepped up its drive against malaria.

“We have collected 44,080 blood samples from various parts of the city,” Dr Kishor Harugoli, the assistant health officer of BMC’s malaria surveillance department, said. All the deaths were caused by the P falciparum strain of malaria, he said.

Also, 10 people have been diagnosed with leptospirosis. “At least 4,000 people are admitted in various hospitals because of monsoon-related ailments,” Shah said. Viral fever along with cough and cold has almost become an epidemic.

“We are seeing several cases of viral fever but it is more virulent. In some cases cold is causing lung infections too,” Dr Ashish Tiwari, staff physician at Bombay Hospital, said.

At least 950 people have been treated for gastroenteritis. Dr Khusrav Bhajan, critical care specialist, PD Hinduja Hospital, said the hospital’s OPD had been flooded with people suffering from loose motions. Also, there have been people with lower respiratory tract infections. “It is worrying because some times it can lead to pneumonia,” he said.