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Dengue in Mumbai: BMC admits dengue in the city on a rise, with 4000 cases so far

Dengue in Mumbai: BMC admits dengue in the city on a rise, with 4000 cases so far

Written by Poorva Chavan |Published : November 6, 2014 11:59 AM IST

After being in denial for the past two months, BMC officials have admitted that four thousand Mumbaikars have suffered from Dengue in the month of October alone. The civic officials also explained that the city has witnessed a rise in the number of suspected dengue cases this year.

Another appalling thing being the civic-run KEM hospital in Parel has become a breeding ground for these dengue spreading mosquitoes, with five resident doctors who live on its premises being critically ill due to dengue. While Dr Vruj Dhurke is battling the disease in Hinduja Hospital in Mahim, four others are under treatment in KEM Hospital itself.

Seven other resident doctors were discharged from the hospital in the past one month; after being treated for dengue, the hospital sources reveled. Over 50 doctors living in the KEM hospital campus have suffered in the past two months, the union members claimed. Hospital dean Dr Shubhangi Parkar assured that corrective measures like clearing the debris, to solve these problems, have been initiated. (Read: 8 tips to prevent dengue)

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Sanjay Deshmukh, additional municipal commissioner, at a press conference on Wednesday, said that the incidence of dengue has increased this year because of delayed winter as Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes thrive in such warm, humid conditions. Lack of awareness about preventing the growth and habitat of these mosquitoes among people worsens the situation.

E ward (Byculla), H-East ward (Santa Cruz) and L ward (Kurla) have been identified as the worst breeding spots in the city informed BMC insecticide officer R Naringrekar. He also said that residents in areas like Juhu do not allow the officers to check for breeding grounds in their premises. To spread awareness among citizens about dengue and how to prevent it , the BMC Executive body is planning to rope in bollywood actor Amir Khan. (Read: Innovative ways to keep your home mosquito free)

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he has already asked for information on dengue from across the state to ensure effective action and prevent the disease from spreading further.

The health department of the BMC is studying the changing behaviour pattern of the dengue-spreading Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. Strains of mosquitoes affectiong Mumbai for the past two years have been studied to arrive at a solution. A survey carried out last year reveals that sengue strain 2 and 3 are more prevalent. BMC's chief epidemiology officer Dr Mangala Gomare informed that based on the spread of the disease there could be more than one strain at work. (Read: Dengue fever treatment and prevention)

Photo source: Getty images


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