Amid rise in malaria, dengue and chikungunya cases along with detection of Zika virus cases in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started an app to raise awareness about indoor breeding sites.
The “Mumbai Against Dengue” app, which is now available on Android and iOS, will also encourage citizens to take preventive measures at home and work.
As per reports, there has been a slight increase in the cases of malaria, dengue, and chikungunya in August compared to last month, July. September will also continue to see a chunk of dengue cases, said doctors.
In August, malaria cases surged by nearly 50%, and dengue cases increased by over 46% compared to July, which the civic officials attributed to intermittent rainfall throughout the month of August.
The city recorded 1,080 confirmed cases of malaria in August, a significant rise from 721 cases in July and 676 cases in June.
Additionally, dengue cases reached nearly 1,000 (999), marking an increase from 685 cases in July and 353 cases in June. Chikungunya, another disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, saw a slight increase to 35 cases from 27.
This rise can be attributed to the sporadic rainfall, creating favourable breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, responsible for transmitting dengue and chikungunya.
Additionally, in 2023, the reported cases increased due to the expansion of reporting units from 22 to 880, encompassing BMC dispensaries, BMC Hospitals, HBT clinics, additional private labs, and private hospitals, civic officials stated.
The civic body carried out an inspection of 18 lakh homes and found 26,132 aedes mosquito breeding spots. Similarly for malaria, they inspected 31,634 houses to detect nearly 4,000 breeding spots.
As of July 2023, as many as 11,174 notices were issued to residents for failing to maintain mosquito-proof premises. Court cases were filed against 554 non-compliant entities, resulting in a fine of INR 10,16,500 being collected.
Meanwhile, two cases of Zika Virus have been detected so far in Mumbai.
Therefore, in an advisory to prevent mosquito breeding, the BMC listed several measures, including ensuring lids for water tanks and containers, and regularly disposing of unused items in which water can collect, as well as implementing a weekly dry day routine and inspecting plant plates for standing water.
All societies as well as commercial complexes have been advised to take necessary precautions to prevent breeding of mosquitoes in their premises.
What information is provided in the app?
Items that should be removed from the house and premises so that rain or any other form of water does not accumulate.
Eighteen questions are given to test to measure the things or water used for storing in places can accumulate or breed mosquitoes. If the scores are low after giving the answers, it will be clear to the concerned person or society that dengue is the source of illness in the place of residence.
Later, it will also help and guide you with the preventive measures which needs to be followed.
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