Asia-Pacific Daily Report

In India's western city of Mumbai, the month of May has so far seen three deaths due to malaria infections and more than 1,250 people have tested positive for the disease, the Hindustan Times reported on May 18. The number of infections is odd for this time of the year, and doctors are surprised at the high number of cases since they usually drop during summer. Last month, health authorities recorded at least 3,122 positive infections, including two deaths, which is double the number of cases reported in April 2009 that saw 1,351 people infected with malaria. Two years ago in April 2008, only 790 people were infected. The Hindustan Times reported that the maximum number of cases has reportedly been from central Mumbai, Lower Parel, Worli and Elphistone Road. Dr. Ashok Bhosale, state project director of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program told the Hindustan Times that "When temperatures crosses 40 C, it slows mosquito breeding. But the temperature in Mumbai is lower than that, and the humidity level is high, so mosquitoes are continuing to breed." According to a doctor from KEM Hospital, normally they see two to six malaria infections per day, but on May 14, 21 people sought treatment at the hospital and tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease. Hindustan Times reported civic officials attributing the rise in malaria cases to construction activity. G.T. Ambe, BMC executive health officer, explained that stagnant water that is left unattended on slabs at construction sites facilitates mosquito breeding. Previously, BMC fumigated construction sites, but since May 1, responsibility has been transferred to builders. Malaria is transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes and is more prevalent in monsoon and post-monsoon periods, as mosquitoes ideal breeding grounds are stagnant sites of water.

Source:

· http://www.hindustantimes.com/City-sees-unexpected-spurt-in-malaria-cases/Articl...

[ Print ]

Recent News related to India:

· Swine flu and dengue outbreaks reported in India's capital (Fri, 09-03)

· Dengue fever and H1N1 flu cases rise in India (Fri, 08-27)

· Nearly 9,000 malaria cases reported in two weeks in western India (Fri, 07-23)

· Health officials sound alert over suspected encephalitis outbreak in... (Fri, 07-09)

· Western state of India suspects chikungunya outbreak (Fri, 05-07)

· India's Karnataka state reports malaria outbreaks (Fri, 04-30)

· Dozens of children hospitalized for suspected encephalitis in northern... (Fri, 04-23)

· New bird flu epicenters emerge in eastern India (Fri, 01-29)