Mumbai Battles Monsoon Maladies: BMC's Efforts to Curb Disease Surge

Mumbai is witnessing a worrying surge in malaria, chikungunya, and hepatitis cases this year, with figures rising from January to mid-September compared to last year, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). However, the city sees a decline in dengue, leptospirosis, and gastroenteritis cases.

The BMC's Monsoon-Diseases report revealed significant increases: malaria cases rose to 6,277 from 5,182, hepatitis to 913 from 791, and chikungunya to 542 from 366 compared to the same period in the prior year.

Despite the rise, BMC noted a decrease from August to September, reflecting patterns observed in previous years. In response, the civic body launched initiatives during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and conducted extensive cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns to mitigate mosquito breeding and raise public vigilance against vector-borne diseases.

(With inputs from agencies.)