Malaria, Chikungunya cases on rise

In the first fortnight of January 2025, outbreaks of winter fever, dengue and chikungunya have started to be seen in the state. 401 cases of winter fever, 210 cases of dengue and 130 cases of chikungunya have been found in the state.

According to the information provided by the Public Health Department, 401 cases of winter fever have been detected in the state in the first 15 days of January. Among these, a maximum 185 patients have been found in Mumbai, followed by 138 in Gadchiroli, 26 in Raigad and 22 in Panvel. Similarly, 210 dengue patients have been found. In this, 44 patients have been found in Mumbai, 41 in Akola, 30 in Nashik, 16 in Malegaon, and 11 in Sindhudurg. Also, 130 chikungunya cases have been found in the state in the last 15 days. During the same period last year, 77 cases of chikungunya were found. Therefore, it is observed that the number of chikungunya patients has doubled in January compared to last year.

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The highest number of chikungunya cases have been found in Akola, where the number of cases is 35, while 19 cases have been found in Mumbai. Also, 17 patients have been found in Satara.

To prevent the spread of winter fever, dengue and chikungunya, the public health department conducts survey campaigns in areas where cases are found. Patients are being examined and treated according to their symptoms. Similarly, 89 sentinel centers have been started in the state to treat winter fever patients and 50 sentinel centers have been started for dengue and chikungunya, according to the Public Health Department.

Winter fever and dengue patients are usually found in large numbers during the rainy season. But for the past few years, patients of this disease are constantly being found in Mumbai. There is a lot of construction going on in Mumbai. Due to the lack of proper drainage of the accumulated water in the construction site, mosquitoes breed there. Due to this, Dr. Vinayak Savardekar, Medical Superintendent of St. George's Hospital informed that there is an increase in the number of winter fever and dengue patients in Mumbai.