Rains raise Malaria, Dengue fears

Hospitals see an increase in Malaria and Dengue cases this November because of sporadic rains

The heavy rains last Wednesday followed by showers on Monday saw patients making a beeline at hospitals, and not just for cough and cold. The untimely rains that have hit the city are worrying medicos who say there is a rise in the number of malaria and dengue cases this November.

Stating that there is a two-fold rise in the number of cases this month as compared to the same time last year, Dr Hemant Thacker, physician at Jaslok Hospital, said, "Usually in November, we see very few cases of malaria and dengue but this year there is a rise in cases owing to sudden rains in the last fortnight."


Irregular rains in the last fortnight have flooded hospitals with malaria and dengue
patients this month

Usually, malaria and dengue are on the wane in November every year, but the irregular rains have reversed the ebb of diseases, doctors say.

Echoing the view, Dr Pratit Samdani, JJ Hospital, medicine department, said, "During this time of the year, usually there is a rise in respiratory diseases due to the winter setting in. But we are seeing a significant number of malaria cases."

On an average, city doctors are getting at least 10-15 new cases of malaria daily. "Falciparum malaria is more common this November. It seems that malaria is coming back," added Dr Thacker.

But some, including the BMC, contradict these concerns. Dr S R Shenoy, who runs a private clinic in Goregaon, said, "Due to the change in the weather, there is a high possibility of increase in malaria cases. But at present there is no such sporadic rise."

Agrees Dr Daksha Shah, heading epidemiology cell, BMC, said, "Currently the number of cases reported in the hospitals are lesser than last year.

Even with the the spell of rains that just hit the city, it takes at least 15 to 30 days for malaria and dengue vectors to spread in the community. We are already monitoring the cases and our vector control activities are in full swing."