Mumbai: Hospitals reported a significant surge in vector-borne diseases over the past month compared to June. Across the city, malaria cases topped, while dengue and chikungunya surged alarmingly compared to last month. Private hospitals, too, are seeing a rise in leptospirosis cases.In July, compared to June, malaria cases jumped from 884 to 1,294 (46.38% increase), dengue from 105 to 708 (over 500% increase), chikungunya from 21 to 129 (over 500% increase), leptospirosis from 36 to 143, and hepatitis from 78 to 176. In the same month last year, city had reported 797 cases of malaria, 535 of dengue, and only 25 of chikungunya.“Chikungunya was not an issue in Mumbai until some years ago. Most senior doctors saw chikungunya as a rarity, largely in patients coming from outside. Now, however, it is a common occurrence,” said Dr Anita Mathew, Internal Medicine Specialist at Fortis Hospital.She added that OPDs are flooded with dengue patients, but most are rushing to the hospital out of fear rather than serious illness. “Dengue can be managed at home if there is adequate fluid intake unless patients have specific serious symptoms. Lepto patients used to be less at private hospitals before, but they have surged now,” said Dr Mathew.While she is witnessing younger patients with vector-borne diseases turn serious, Dr Anupama Sardana, Critical Care Expert at Holy Family Hospital in Bandra, said older patients are the ones landing on ventilators at their hospital. “Malaria is still topping the chart, but dengue increased a lot over the last month with a dramatic fall in platelets,” the doctor said.A doctor from Nair Hospital said the admissions surged for both dengue and malaria. “There have been serious cases for both, but no mortality so far,” said the doctor.Dr Gautam Bhansali, a consultant physician and infectious disease specialist at Bombay Hospital, said, “There has been a surge in patients, but quick response and tests on part of the general public also increased. Most are treated on an OPD basis.”BMC officials said the early onset of rain from May this year created a favourable environment for vector- and water-borne diseases.
