Over 21,000 cases of dengue, malaria this monsoon, Mumbai tops the chart

With the monsoon gradually withdrawing in several regions of Maharashtra, data from the public health department showed that during this rainy season, Maharashtra has reported over 21,000 cases of mosquito-borne illnesses, resulting in eight fatalities. Mumbai, the state’s capital, has topped the chart in terms of reported cases.

Vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, thrive during the monsoon due to increased humidity and proliferation of stagnant water, which create ideal breeding conditions for disease-carrying vectors, particularly mosquitoes.

As of September 27, the state has recorded a total of 10,553 reported cases of dengue this year. Mumbai alone accounted for 3,556 of these cases, followed by Thane with 704 cases and Nashik with 606 cases.

The state has also reported 10,978 cases of malaria, with a significant 41 percent (4,554 cases) originating from Mumbai. The tribal-dominated Gadchiroli district closely trails behind with 4,525 cases.

In 2019, the total number of malaria cases reported in the state was 8,866 increasing to 15,215 in 2020 and further escalating to 17,341 in 2021. However, there was a decline in 2022, with the count receding to 14,671, marking a decrease compared to the preceding two years.

Mumbai consistently ranks high in reported disease cases every year, attributed to its dense population, extensive healthcare infrastructure, and robust diagnosis and reporting systems.