Twelve people have died of leptospirosis infection in Mumbai in the month of July
Twelve people have died of leptospirosis infection in Mumbai in the month of July.
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Out of a total 21 cases reported in civic-run hospitals in the last seven days, 12 people in Mumbai lost their lives due to complications arising out of leptospirosis, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Health) Sanjay Deshmukh said.
"Most of these 12 deaths occurred because patients came too late to be helped," said Padmja Kesakar, BMC Executive health officer.
"Out of the 12 victims, seven died within 24 hours of their admission to hospitals. The deceased included 10 men and two women. Eight of them had waded through flooded water," Deshmukh said.
Three deaths were reported from Kandivali, 4 from Dahisar, 4 from Malad and 1 from Parel. Most of the victims were from the city's Borivali, Kandivali, Malad and Malvani areas where there was heavy water logging due to rains on June 18 and 19, according to the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).
"People need to look out for high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, or vomiting which are prominent symptoms of lepto. No one should ignore these symptoms and should seek medical help immediately, " said a BMC official.
The disease spreads through Leptospirae bacteria from animals to humans. Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection, occurs when people come in contact with water contaminated with urine of infected rats or dogs.
Cases of leptospirosis in Mumbai in the last five years
- 2010: 135 cases - 18 deaths
- 2011 - 145 cases - 6 deaths
- 2012 - 327 cases -3 deaths
- 2013 - 233 cases- 3 deaths
- 2014 - 79 cases- 4 deaths
- 2015 - 26 cases- 12 deaths
BMC fights malaria menace
The BMC has started their fight against mosquito menace in full swing. Areas where there were chances of mosquitoes or their larvas breeding, have been issued notices by the BMC.
Since January, 8692 notices have been issued, out of which prosecution has been initiated against 314 defaulters. Since January, a total of Rs.15,52900 was recovered by the BMC.
Rajan Narigakar, insecticide officer said, "Mosquitoes begin to breed in stagnant waters in a matter of seven days. Thus, most spots were noticed in slum areas, especially on plastic covers placed on top of huts with car tires to avoid it from flying off. Construction sites, water tubs as well as terraces too, were mosquito breeding spots."
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