Mumbai: The risk of dengue is rising once again in Mumbai with the onset of intermittent rains. According to the latest Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) report, nearly 60% of mosquito breeding spots have been found in slum areas, while 40% were detected in buildings and high-rise residential societies. In total, BMC's insecticide department has identified breeding at 27,456 locations across the city’s 24 wards.
Though officials claim to have taken immediate steps to eliminate these sites, authorities have urged citizens to stay vigilant. Even a small lapse can impact both health and finances.
Dengue is a viral infection spread by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms include high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, rashes, and vomiting. In severe cases, platelet counts can drop sharply, leading to dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which can be fatal.
To contain the spread, BMC’s insecticide department has carried out fogging and anti-larval spraying in over 51,000 buildings and approximately 8.37 lakh households. However, officials admit that a shortage of manpower is hampering large-scale surveillance and control operations—contributing to the persistent mosquito problem.
BMC Issues Public Appeal
Additional Municipal Commissioner of BMC has appealed to all government and private institutions to make their premises "mosquito-proof" and ensure no water stagnation at construction sites or in open containers. Citizens have also been urged to take precautions to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Officials reiterate that dengue mosquitoes breed in clean, stagnant water and bite during daytime, making regular checks at homes and surroundings essential.
