Mumbai: Dengue, malaria on the rise amid fall in Covid cases
In the midst of a decline in Covid cases in Mumbai, there has been an increase in monsoon disease in the last seven days. According to the data provided by the Ministry of Health, the city has recorded 118 cases of malaria, followed by 83 cases of gastroenteritis and 51 dengue fever between 5-11 September. Civil health officials have urged residents to immediately consult a doctor if they have symptoms, quoting cases tend to surge in the coming days.
“We expect cases related to the rainy season and virus fever to increase in the next 10 days, considering that there is continuous rainfall in the city for the last four to five days. In addition, we also hope that the case of swine flu will surge because which residents need to take extra precautions and consult with the nearest BMC doctor or clinic if they have symptoms. People should avoid their own treatment, “said Dr. Mangala Gomare, Executive Health Officer, BMC. Dr. Umang Agrawal, a Consultant of Infectious Diseases, PD Hinduja & MRC Hospital, said that the cases of dengue fever had increased now mainly due to monsoon which resulted in many infections of this infection.
“Most cases of dengue fever can recover alone. However, there are certain warning signs that you need to know and this includes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, excessive bleeding from any site and shortness of breath. This is basically signs of your blood concentrated and the management of this special infection is mainly conservative with a lot of fluids. In certain cases, those who have warning signs described may require acceptance, “he said.
Dr. Harish Chafle, a Pulmonology Senior Consultant and Critical Care in Global Hospitals, Parel, said there were incidents where patients had been infected both dengue and malaria fever. As we all know mosquitoes are responsible for causing dengue fever and they need clean water to survive, with the habit of biting during the day. “Heavy rain and logging in the lowlands provide a bed to multiply in this mosquito. Also, the water is stored in drums and plates used to maintain household decorative plants also sometimes can provide the same conducive environment, “he said.
