Hospital authorities blame intermittent rains and the lack of sanitation and proper hygiene for the rapid spread of diseases.
The monsoon has turned out to be a season of maladies for the city, from dreaded mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya or ailments like viral infections, common cold and other respiratory ailments. Hospital authorities and general practitioners across the city blame the intermittent, but heavy, rains and the lack of sanitation and proper hygiene for the rapid spread of diseases.
“Almost 70 per cent of fever, colds, cough and diarrhea are caused by viral infections. And whenever it rains, we see an immediate surge in such cases,” said Pavan Sureka, a Malad-based medical practitioner.
While earlier the BMC’s health department had to worry about the over-populated slum areas in the city, this year, malaria and dengue have not even spared the posh South Mumbai areas like Napean Sea Road or suburbs like Bandra.
According to the BMC’s statistics, residents of Napeansea Road, Byculla, Parel, Dadar and Matunga are reportedly among those with the highest incidence of mosquito-borne diseases this year. Cases of viral fever are being reported from all areas in the city.
Take for instance, the Jethia family, residents of Peddar Road, where every member of the family has been struck by a bout of viral fever over a period of three weeks.
“When one member of the family catches a viral infection, the rest of the family is vulnerable unless precautions are taken immediately,” said Dr Ajay Shekhare of south Mumbai. he said.
Two experts from the National Institute of Virology will be in the city on Thursday to take samples of dengue from Kasturba, KEM, Sion and Nair hospitals. Dr Jayraj Thanekar, executive health office, BMC, said the expert would also offer training to doctors and assistants on dealing with the deadly disease
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