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There is a 10 per cent rise in the number of malaria cases between January and May this year, compared to the same period last year.

Warning

The department has issued a strict warning to all Pest Control Offices in the 24 wards to monitor project sites and to ensure minimal water stagnation. Added another official, "Once the monsoon arrives, special drives will be undertaken at the locations to check mosquito-breeding spots. Also, anti-malaria treatment, including spraying insecticides and fogging will be carried out." For larger projects, a bigger team that will also have staff from the local ward office will conduct operations.

The BMC has also called for support from local NGOs and resident organisations to monitor these sites, and bring open water tanks or odd articles with stagnating water to the attention of the ward office.

It figures
According to the BMC, this year between January and May, 6,192 malaria cases (of which 5,465 cases of Vivax strain, 611 cases for Falciparum strain and 116 of other strains) were reported.

Last year, during the same period, 5,272 persons were confirmed to have suffered from malaria (4,372 Vivax strain, 771 Falciparum strain and 129 of other strains).

According to the BMC, the malaria menace has spread to newer areas. Officials have identified an additional 134 high risk areas. These include Sangharsh Nagar in Chandivli, pockets in Marol where excavation for metro rail is being carried out and Byculla. Sixty-two high-risk areas are in the western suburbs, 59 in eastern suburbs and 13 in the city area.

The BMC has identified more than 2,000 breeding spots of female anopheles mosquito among the 7,478 building construction sites across Mumbai.

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