Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 09 Jul 2024
Monsoon Diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Leptospirosis Can Intensify In Mumbai As The City Gets Flooded Due to Rains; Ways To Protect Yourself
In Mumbai, India's most populous city, monsoons can often bring life to a standstill with flooding, and result in a surge of diseases.
Heavy rainfall has not just thrown normal life out of gear in Mumbai but has increased the risk of many monsoon-related diseases and ailments, most of which are life-threatening. Water-logged streets are a common sight every monsoon across India. But in Mumbai, its most populous city, monsoons can often bring life to a standstill with flooding, and result in a surge of diseases.
According to statistics, in 2023–2024, Mumbai reported 16,821 malaria cases, which is an increase from 14,533 cases in 2022–2023. However, the number of malaria deaths in Mumbai declined by 17 per cent during that time. In June this year, at least 639 cases were reported. Also, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, or BMC reported a sharp rise in numbers of dengue. The BMC said it has spruced up its fight to tackle the vector-borne cases in the city and create awareness among residents.
Both malaria and dengue are caused by mosquito bites - malaria by Anopheles and dengue by Aedes aegypti species - which breed in stagnant water. Owing to the increased accumulation of water during monsoons, the cases of diseases witness a considerable uptick during the monsoon season.
Malaria
Malaria is a potentially deadly ailment caused by a parasite that infects mosquitoes and is transmitted to humans through their bites. According to experts, symptoms of malaria typically appear 7–30 days after being bitten but can take up to a year to develop. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent severe illness and death.
Signs and symptoms of malaria
A few signs and symptoms of malaria, which are similar to flu symptoms, include:
- Fever and sweating
- Chills
- Headache and muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Breathlessness, cough
- Diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting
- According to doctors, malaria can also cause anemia and jaundice if it gets worse.
Dengue
Dengue fever is also caused by a virus you can get from the bite of a mosquito carrying one of four types of dengue virus or DENV. The virus is most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, including Central and South America, Africa, parts of Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
According to studies, nearly 400 million people get infected with dengue each year, but most – around 80 per cent have no symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of dengue
Doctors say while most dengue infections do not cause symptoms, if you do have them, high fever is typical, along with:
- Rash
- Intense pain behind your eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in your joints, muscles, and bones
- Nosebleeds
- Abdominal pain
- Throwing up blood
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can affect both humans and animals, including dogs, rodents, and many other wild and domesticated animals. It is also known as Weil disease. According to the BMC data, there were 286 and 224 cases of leptospirosis in Mumbai in 2022 and 2023. This year in June, the city has reported 346 cases to date.
The World Health Organisation says Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria - belonging to the genus Leptospira. The disease is detected in areas that have witnessed excessive rainfall or flooding. These bacteria are commonly transmitted to humans’ bodies through cuts, and abrasions in the skin, sometimes due to ingestion of floodwater through the mouth or nose and rarely through the eyes.
Signs and symptoms of leptospirosis
Some people have flu-like symptoms of leptospirosis, and some have no symptoms at all. In severe cases of leptospirosis, you have symptoms of internal bleeding and organ damage. In acute leptospirosis, symptoms come on suddenly, including:
- High fever
- Redness in the eyes
- Headaches
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Stomachache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Jaundice
- Rash
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain
- Breathlessness
- Black, tarry poop
- Flat, red spots on your skin that look like a rash
Ways to protect yourself from monsoon-related illnesses
- Taking preventative medication
- Wear protective clothing and shoes
- Avoiding water sports and swimming in lakes and rivers after floods
- Drink only treated water
- Cover exposed skin outdoors, especially at night when mosquitos are more likely to be around
- Remove standing water and fill low spots where water can pool.
- Keep mosquitoes outside of your home by repairing holes in screens and keeping windows and doors closed if possible.
- Use mosquito netting at night in areas where dengue and malaria are common