18 July,2023 06:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Anagha Sawant
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As Mumbai experiences heavy rainfall, the city is witnessing a significant increase in leptospirosis cases. Within just 15 days of July, around 104 cases of leptospirosis have been reported in the city.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that Mumbai recorded 104 cases of leptospirosis from July 1 to 16, following 97 cases in the previous month of June.
Leptospirosis is a disease that spreads from animals like rodents and cattle to humans. The animals' urine can contaminate flooded water and infect individuals through exposed skin areas or abrasions.
BMC stated that this year the monsoon-illness cases have increased due to an increase in reporting units from 22 to 880. These units include BMC dispensaries, BMC Hospitals, HBT clinics, additional private labs and private hospitals.
To prevent leptospirosis, BMC issued an advisory recommending that people avoid wading in rain or floodwaters, refrain from walking barefoot during heavy rains, and use gumboots whenever possible. If exposed to stagnant rainwater, prophylactic treatment should be sought as per medical advice, and self-medication for fever cases should be avoided in favor of consulting a medical practitioner.
Dr. Abhishek Subhash, an Internal Medicine specialist at Bhatia Hospital, emphasized the importance of immediate medical attention for those who unavoidably find themselves stranded in flooded areas. He warned that fever, body aches, muscle pain, headache and conjunctivitis are symptoms that should not be ignored, particularly for individuals who have been walking in flooded waters. Leptospirosis can progress from mild to severe stages, potentially leading to neurological complications such as meningitis, liver and kidney failure, and even pulmonary hemorrhage if left untreated at the initial stage.
Besides leptospirosis, Mumbai has also reported 932 cases of gastro, 355 cases of malaria, and 264 cases of dengue in July.
BMC further reported that while there has been an increase in gastro, malaria, and dengue cases, the majority of these cases are treated on an outpatient basis. Notably, 93 percent of the malaria cases are caused by P. vivax, and 5 percent are attributed to P. Falciparum.
