Malaria claims 2 lives in Mumbai, breaks 3-year zero death record

…Doctors have flagged another concern: malaria appears to be behaving differently this year. Dr Gautam Bhansali of Bombay Hospital, where malaria admissions continue, said patients were experiencing prolonged fever. “ This year, patients continue to have high fever for almost five days, as against previous years when fever would subside within two days of starting anti-malarial treatment. Due to the high fever, many have needed admission ,” he said. BMC health committee chairman and BJP corporator Harish Bhandgire played down the possibility of a citywide outbreak, saying cases were concentrated in pockets such as Dongri, Sion and Parel. “Water pipeline…

…admission,” he said. BMC health committee chairman and BJP corporator Harish Bhandgire played down the possibility of a citywide outbreak, saying cases were concentrated in pockets such as Dongri, Sion and Parel. “ Water pipeline leakages could sometimes contribute to breeding, though that is only one of several possible reasons ,” Bhandgire said. Civic teams from the health, pest control and maintenance departments are working to identify and eliminate breeding spots, he added. Former Congress corporator from Dahisar Sheetal Mhatre, who was…

…questioned BMC’s focus on major infrastructure projects amid a rise in mosquito-borne diseases. Mhatre alleged that the civic body was prioritising infrastructure over basic services such as healthcare and sanitation. “ There are so many cases of malaria and dengue that it is surprising to see what has changed over the past few years, when the civic body was doing so well and focusing on measures such as fumigation ,” she said. She also said poorly planned road levels in some areas were contributing to waterlogging and creating mosquito-breeding grounds. Kurla corporator and Congress group leader in BMC Ashraf Azmi flagged…

…contributing to waterlogging and creating mosquito-breeding grounds. Kurla corporator and Congress group leader in BMC Ashraf Azmi flagged stagnant water at infrastructure sites as another potential breeding ground. “ Currently, there is no SOP specifying how long water can remain at infrastructure sites. In some cases, water remains stagnant for a long time, giving mosquitoes enough time to breed ,” he said. Azmi called for a clear protocol and stricter monitoring of such sites. He said civic staff monitoring air pollution at infrastructure projects should also be empowered to act if water remains stagnant…