Despite residents claiming that malaria is still rampant in Bandra (W), the BMC's H-west ward office says there is no need for panic as their malaria combat team is keeping watch to prevent the spread of the disease.

"Though the BMC claims that there is no malaria in Bandra, you will find at least 10 to 20 people suffering from the disease at Holy Family Hospital," says Valentine Almeida, a resident of St Sebastian Road.

He alleges that the BMC's pest control department has stopped the use of fumigants, which are a deterrent for mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water in the colony.

The BMC in turn has asked societies to keep the water tanks atop their buildings clean. But residents point out that water tanks store fresh water and mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.

Almeida adds that a lot of mosquitoes can be found near Bandra Reclamation near the MTNL office. "The pest control office should do something about such chronic breeding spots and not target societies," says Almeida.

He says there are cases of falciparum malaria in the area too. Doctors say that falciparum malaria cannot be detected immediately, the strain of malaria can affect the brain or the kidney and can be fatal.

Prachi P Parte, medical record officer at Holy Family Hospital says, "I have the figures for the past one month, which show that between October 21 and November 22, our hospital recorded 22 cases of vivax malaria and 25 cases of falciparum malaria."

Anil Khoje, ward officer, H-west ward, says "There may have been stray cases of malaria. But the figures are definitely low." He says locals and doctors should report cases so the BMC can crosscheck them and take preventive action.

"We want to make malaria a notifiable disease and have approached the additional commissioner. But the process will take some more time," he says.

rajendra@mid-day.com