Mumbai recorded a sharp increase in malaria and H1N1 cases during this year’s monsoon, according to data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The city reported 7,422 malaria cases between June and September, compared with 5,144 during the same period last year, while H1N1 cases surged to 504 from 71. Dengue cases, however, declined marginally over the same period.

The malaria figures represent an increase of about 44%, while the H1N1 count rose by around 609% based on the case numbers provided by the BMC. The city recorded 2,941 dengue cases this monsoon compared with 3,356 last year. Covid-19 also continued to be reported in Mumbai, with 165 cases recorded during the monsoon period.

Doctors have cautioned that the risk of mosquito-borne and other monsoon-related infections has not disappeared even though the rains have begun to retreat. Consultant in internal medicine at Surya Hospital in Santacruz, Suyash Kulkarni, said water stagnation continued in areas such as air-conditioner ducts and construction sites, creating conditions for mosquito breeding.

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Kulkarni said mosquito breeding remained a concern despite requirements for construction sites to prevent water accumulation. He noted that Mumbai had recorded a large number of malaria cases during the monsoon and said dengue cases could continue to persist after the rains. He also warned that the onset of October heat could contribute to acute gastroenteritis as food- and water-borne infections increase.

As part of its infectious disease surveillance, the BMC surveyed 52.51 lakh residents across 11.22 lakh households in Mumbai. Civic teams collected 63,837 blood samples and conducted 342 camps as part of the monitoring and response measures during the season.

The civic body also identified 6,310 mosquito breeding spots after inspecting 10.44 lakh locations. It carried out fogging operations in 45,266 buildings and 6.98 lakh slum households, while 5,903 rats were killed as part of disease-control measures. With mosquito breeding and other infection risks continuing after the monsoon, health officials and doctors have stressed the need for continued precautions against seasonal illnesses.

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