8 malaria deaths in Maha this month; dengue claims two lives

Status: Not Approved HEAD: 25_Mum_MI_ Byline: Malathy Iyer (no byline) Times News Network Mumbai: The state witnessed eight deaths due to malaria and another two due to dengue in September so far, according to information provided by the state health department on Tuesday. The total toll due to these two vector-borne diseases in 2024 has increased to 34 as compared to 74 in the entire 2023.While the other mosquito-borne disease, chikungunya, hasn't claimed lives, there has been a 50% rise in cases between 2023 (1,702) and Jan-Sep this year (3,259). Given the sudden increase in chikungunya cases, the state health department has started a rapid action team to study the reasons for the change. All districts and municipalities have been asked to collect two blood samples from those chikungunya patients who are either admitted in ICUs in hospitals or have severe neurological complications such as swelling in the brain and/or hyperpigmentation. The samples will be checked for any mutation in the chikungunya virus or for other viruses that could be causing a co-infection with chikungunya and producing neurological symptoms. As per data shared by the state health department, more people have been affected by the three mosquito-borne diseases this year as compared to Jan-Sept 2023. The total dengue cases this year so far is 12,223, marking a 32% increase over the caseload in Jan-Sept 2023. Malaria cases have risen by 15% in the same period. However, senior doctors from the health department said that the increase in cases is mainly due to a better surveillance system this year as compared to the previous years. MSID:: 113675241 413 |