02 September,2026 06:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
While H1N1 and malaria cases have increased, several other seasonal illnesses have recorded fewer cases. Representational Pic/File
Mumbai has recorded a sharp increase in H1N1 cases during the monsoon season, while malaria infections have also risen, according to the data released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Public Health Department.
The figures cover the period from June to 31 August 2026. H1N1 cases increased from 62 in 2025 to 441 this year.
Malaria cases also rose, from 3,733 in 2025 to 4,485 in 2026.
While H1N1 and malaria cases have increased, several other seasonal illnesses have recorded fewer cases compared with the same period last year.
Dengue cases fell from 1,972 in 2025 to 1,563 in 2026. Chikungunya cases saw a much sharper decline, dropping from 370 to 46.
Leptospirosis cases decreased from 406 to 255, while gastroenteritis cases fell from 2,197 to 1,954.
Covid-19 cases also declined, from 668 in 2025 to 151 this year.
The civic body has stepped up surveillance and preventive measures across the city.
During August, BMC teams visited 50,629 households and reached 2,34,591 residents as part of door-to-door health surveys. More than 71,400 blood samples were collected and 43 health camps were organised.
Preventive treatment for leptospirosis was also given to 16,052 people.
BMC teams carried out extensive inspections to control mosquito-borne diseases.
Officials inspected 52,197 sites for Anopheles mosquitoes, which transmit malaria, and found 8,055 active breeding sites.
More than 12.5 lakh sites were checked for Aedes mosquitoes, which can spread dengue. Officials identified 27,352 mosquito breeding points.
The civic body also carried out fumigation in 49,684 building areas and 7,70,046 slum dwellings.
Teams removed 1,807 discarded tyres and nearly 60,000 other items that could collect stagnant water and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
According to the Mumbai civic body, BMC officials have identified several areas where particular illnesses have shown localised increases.
For malaria, higher numbers were reported from Byculla in E Ward, Andheri West in K-West, BDD Chawl in G-South, Parel in F-South and the Hill Road-Turner Road area in H-West.
Higher leptospirosis activity was reported in GTB Nagar in F-North, Shivaji Nagar in M-East, Darga Road in T Ward, Saki Naka in K-East and Dharavi in G-North.
Gastroenteritis cases were higher in Qureshi Nagar in L Ward, Datt Nagar in H-West, Indira Nagar in K-West, Ramabai Nagar in N Ward and Behram Nagar in H-East.
The BMC has urged residents to remove stagnant water from areas around their homes to prevent mosquito breeding.
People are advised to wear boots while walking through floodwater as a precaution against leptospirosis. Residents have also been advised to drink boiled water to reduce the risk of gastroenteritis, it said.
For protection against H1N1, health officials have stressed the importance of covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, washing hands regularly and taking extra precautions to protect elderly people and those with chronic health conditions, the BMC said.
