As monsoon rains persist, Mumbai faces a significant rise in cases of gastroenteritis, dengue, malaria, and leptospirosis. In the past two weeks alone, the city has reported 694 cases of gastroenteritis, 166 cases of dengue, 282 cases of malaria, and 53 cases of swine flu.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has responded by deploying 3,000 beds across major and suburban hospitals and extending OPD services from 4 pm to 6 pm to accommodate the growing number of patients. To curb the spread of these diseases, BMC has launched a public awareness campaign featuring celebrities to educate citizens on mosquito prevention.
Additionally, BMC has taken drastic measures to eliminate rat populations, a significant vector for diseases like plague and leptospirosis. In the last two weeks, over 13,000 rats have been exterminated as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce rat breeding and the associated health risks.
The municipality also emphasizes maintaining hygiene and taking preventive measures. Citizens are urged to keep their homes and surroundings clean, avoid open street food, drink boiled water, wash hands regularly, avoid crowded places, and use masks.
“We urge citizens not to self-medicate and to seek professional medical advice if needed,” a BMC health department official stated. With monsoon season continuing, it’s crucial for citizens to follow these guidelines to prevent disease spread and safeguard their health.
