24 September,2026 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation workers carry out fumigation to control the pest population at Sakinaka in Andheri East. FILE PICS
With the city expecting a monsoon withdrawal around October 15, Mumbai appears to have kept several monsoon-related illnesses in check this year, with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data showing a sharp decline in dengue, chikungunya, leptospirosis, gastroenteritis, and COVID-19 cases between June 1 and September 15 this year as compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
Dr Daksha Shah, BMC's former executive health officer. FILE PIC
The biggest fall has been recorded in chikungunya cases, which dropped from 427 in 2025 to just 49 this year - a decline of 88.52 per cent. Leptospirosis cases fell from 493 to 277 - a reduction of 43.81 per cent, while dengue declined from 2377 to 2161 - a fall of 9.09 per cent and gastroenteritis from 2412 to 2050, a 15.01 per cent decline.
[popcorn number="488" desc="No of H1N1 cases registered from June to Sept 15" class="Default"]
COVID-19 cases also fell substantially, from 677 to 162 - down by 76.07 per cent. However, malaria and H1N1 remain exceptions. Malaria cases rose from 4304 to 5948 - a rise of 32.07 per cent, while H1N1 cases increased from 65 to 488 - 650.77 per cent.
BMC's former executive health officer Dr Daksha Shah, who was instrumental in the implementation of public health policies in the said period, told mid-day that the civic body's pre-monsoon preparedness and early intervention proved to be beneficial.
"We started preparations well before the monsoon, including surveillance, vector-control measures, fever surveys, and ensuring that vulnerable populations were identified early. Usually, this is done in June when the monsoon is about to begin. However, we did it right from April. In flood-prone areas, people exposed to contaminated stagnant water were given prophylactic treatment for leptospirosis after medical assessment. Also, other anti-larval measures were implemented, such as strict actions against construction sites, daily fogging, especially in densely populated areas. The measures weren't unique as such, but the timing and stringent implementation were key," she said.
Roping in ward-level officers and NGOs was another useful approach that helped the civic body. "Officials need to understand that just one department or team cannot ensure illnesses remain at the lowest possible. Especially in a city like Mumbai with several slums, ward-level involvement in the implementation process is of utmost importance, as they are the ones who can and do reach the masses. Spreading awareness about water stagnation and other hygiene aspects was also useful. I do agree that more work needs to be done in areas of malaria and dengue, and the department is working on it as well," said Shah.
Doctors, meanwhile, say prevention cannot stop at civic measures. Adult immunisation, particularly against influenza, needs greater attention. Dr Jejoe Karankumar, medical affairs director, Abbott India, said, "As climate change continues to influence disease patterns, preventive measures are becoming increasingly important. Influenza vaccination is a well-established and effective way to help protect individuals from severe flu-related illness. In India, where seasonal variations are becoming less predictable, timely influenza vaccination can contribute significantly to broader public health protection. Older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems, who are generally more susceptible to infections, may also benefit from vaccination. Simple preventive practices can have a meaningful impact, particularly in public settings."
