Mumbai : With only 1,490 malaria cases and one death being registered in Mumbai, BMC claims that the city is witnessing a downfall in malaria cases. The number is low as compared to last year’s 9,068 malaria cases and 18 deaths. This was revealed by a recent research report by Observer Research Foundation Mumbai.
On the eve of “World Malaria Day”, which falls on Saturday (April 25), the BMC has pledged to make Mumbai malaria free. Additional Municipal Commissioner (AMC) Sanjay Deshmukh said that BMC will continue to do surveillance in the city to keep a tab on malaria cases and breeding sites.
Speaking on the matter, Dr Mangala Gomare, head of epidemiology cell at BMC said, “The situation is far better this year and this is because people are more aware today. Also, we have been doing surveillance in all the areas of the city. We need to focus on hygiene and keep our water purified because mosquitoes are found in stagnant water which ultimately leads to malaria.”
City health experts also added that they are witnessing a declining trend in malaria cases this year. However, they added that the situation seems to be under control as of now but we need to maintain hygienic conditions and prepare ourselves for the monsoon; since during monsoons the malaria cases surge in the city.
When asked, Dr Chetan Velani, consultant general physician at Kohinoor Hospital said, “This year, we are witnessing only 4-5 malaria cases in a month whereas last year we had witnessed 50 cases a month. This is a result of more awareness among the people.”