Malaria cases dip in Navi Mum

NAVI MUMBAI: The number of malaria and dengue cases detected this year in Navi Mumbai have gone down by more than 50 per cent as compared to last year. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has claimed that the extra care and precaution taken by the residents have resulted in the decrease of these cases.

From January to November end this year, 52,151 blood samples were collected, of which 22 showed malarial infections and 26 were suspected for dengue, one of which was confirmed by National Institute of Virology.

In the same period last year, 1.14 lakh blood samples were tested. Of them, 52 had malarial infections and 283 showed dengue symptoms, of which only six were confirmed as dengue.

The corresponding numbers in 2018 were 1,17,082 (samples tested), 106 (malaria) and 465 (suspected dengue).

Along with dengue and malaria, hepatitis and swine flu too have been reported to have gone down. While there were five cases of hepatitis last year, it has come down to one case this year. Meanwhile, swine flu cases have come down to three this year from last year’s 41.

“Due to lockdown, most of the people stayed indoors. Since travelling in public transport or going out was not happening, people stayed safe from mosquito bites. Moreover, the slum areas, where the maximum risk is involved with stagnant water and mosquito breeding, were empty due to migrants travelling to their hometowns. The fogging and checking of the areas could be done in a much better manner. Besides, people this year were very extra cautious about self-care and hygiene,” a health officer from NMMC said.

This year, 11.12 lakh houses including overhead tanks, ground tanks and drums were checked for breeding spots. The civic body also checked abandoned tyres and flower pots.

BACHCHAN KUMAR/HT PHOTO Fogging in progress in Navi Mumbai.