With 40 Mumbaikars diagnosed with H1N1 in February, the total number of cases in 2019 so far has surpassed the total number of persons tested positive for the disease in 2018. According to records of BMC's public health department, 25 people were diagnosed with swine flu in 2018. However, in just 28 days of 2019, people tested positive for the disease across the city have increased to 40.
According to the civic body's health department, despite a number of cases being reported from other districts of the state, no case of swine flu had been reported from the city in the month of January. As per the Right To Information (RTI) data, all swine flu cases were reported in the month of February.
Out of 40 cases in the city, the highest number of cases were reported in K-West ward (Andheri west, Vile Parle west, and Jogeshwari west). While K-West ward reported seven cases, D ward (Nana Chowk, Grant Road, Girgaum Chowpatty), KE ward (Andheri east, Jogeshwari east, Vile Parle east) and S ward(Bhandup West) recorded four cases each.
Owing to the alarming rise of swine flu cases in the city, the civic body had been organising awareness drive in areas where the cases had been reported. "We are making the aware of the symptoms and causes of H1N1," said Prashant Gaikwad, assistant municipal commissioner, K-West ward.
Dr Santosh Revankar, deputy executive health officer, said, "No special measures have been taken by us. Regular precautionary measures are being implemented to reduce the number of cases. A sudden increase in the number of cases might be due to climate change and fluctuating temperature."
"The number of swine flu cases has drastically changed since few years. In 2019, no death has been reported in the city. Those reported, were not from the city," added Dr Revankar.
Swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus. Its symptoms include fever, cough, body ache, nasal secretions, headache, fatigue, loose motions, and weakness. Vaccination of high-risk group people including pregnant women, senior citizens, kidney ailment and others who have a weak immune system is recommended.
