The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a special campaign to raise awareness about mosquito control measures in response to a sudden increase in mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. The city has seen a rise in dengue, leptospirosis, and H1N1 cases in the first half of July compared to June 2024, according to the BMC’s monsoon report released on Tuesday.
Dengue cases have notably surged, with 165 cases reported between July 1 and July 15, up from 93 in June. Leptospirosis cases have also increased to 52 from 28 in June. H1N1 flu cases have jumped from 10 in June to 53 in the first half of July.
In response, the BMC has launched the ‘Bhag Machchar Bhag’ campaign, promoting mosquito control measures through short films and messages by celebrities from the Marathi and Hindi film industries. The civic body has also urged citizens to take steps to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, use mosquito nets, and wear protective clothing.
Dr. Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant in internal medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, reported seeing 5-6 dengue and H1N1 cases daily since last week. She emphasized the importance of vaccines for H1N1 and pneumonia, noting that these vaccines can help prevent high-grade fever, body pain, and chills. She particularly stressed the need for citizens over 60, especially those with diabetes and other comorbidities, to take the pneumonia vaccine, as dengue cases are expected to rise in August and September.
Dr. Umang Agarwal, infectious diseases consultant at PD Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, also noted an increase in H1N1 and dengue cases, affecting a wide age range from 18 to 82 years old. He mentioned that the elderly are the most severely affected, with some patients requiring ICU care due to complications. “Currently, we have three such patients who are still on oxygen,” he said.
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