Mumbai: The sudden fluctuation of Mumbai weather has led to a rise in vector-borne diseases, with more patients visiting the outpatients department (OPD) of civic-run hospitals. The number of cases has increased by 35-40 per cent and according to the doctors, they are treating 40 patients on a daily basis. Most complaints are patients suffering from gastroenteritis, respiratory and many other illnesses. “With every transition a season there is an outbreak of diseases like hepatitis, gastroenteritis, typhoid, malaria, dengue, and leptospirosis that is being witnessed,” said a doctor.
Dr Ramesh Bharmal, dean of Nair Hospital, said there has been a rise in patients complaining of cold, cough, fever, headache and body pain, which are increasing on a daily basis since last two weeks. “So far, we have seen 65 patients complaining of suffering from gastroenteritis and 30 to 40 patients who have been registered for high fever,” he said.
A senior doctor from King Edward Memorial hospital said, people have come with typical symptoms like fever, headache, hacking cough accompanied occasionally by a severe headache and muscle pain; influenza, commonly referred to as a viral infection or common flu, are the most prevalent and easily communicable diseases during this season.
“It is a communicable virus, so if you cough, or snort, or if mucus touches someone else, they can spread the infection. You can also get it by touching infected surfaces like tables, handkerchiefs and more,” said doctor.
With the rise in illnesses, the public health department has started a monsoon OPD to handle the increasing number of patients. Dr Hemant Deshmukh, dean of KEM Hospital, said, “We have started monsoon OPD for people who report sick during the rains. We have in fact seen a spike in fever cases of late, along with dengue and malaria cases before the arrival of monsoons. Nearly 60-65 per cent of patients have visited the OPD complaining of high fever.”
