Rain illnesses could rise soon: Docs

Mumbai: Mumbaikars may have enjoyed an exceptionally healthy June, but the coming months may be different. After a week of sporadic but heavy showers, doctors fear monsoon-related diseases could increase from next week. 

    While the BMC claims to have worked hard to bring down monsoon diseases, lack of rainfall in June seems to have helped the BMC achieve the feat. Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner, said the BMC has been working on malaria all year round. "Standard operating procedures are being followed since last year. We not only micro-mapped the city, but also worked on vector control. High-risk areas were given special attention. Similar work at the grass-root level was done for gastroenteritis as well. Moreover, few spells of rain have helped lower the number of diseases in June," she said. 
    Doctors, though, said the disease count will rise. Dr V K Joglekar, head of medicine at state-run J J Hospital, said, "Now since the monsoon has properly set in, the number of patients will also rise." 
    Dr Hemant Thacker, who consults in Jaslok and Breach Candy hospitals, said there is already a spurt in viral infections. "We are seeing cases of fever with rashes. Conjunctivitis has been around. We have even received two leptospirosis cases from outside the city." Prevention, say doctors, is the key and warn against unusual accompaniments with fever.