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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Chikungunya surge in Mumbai: Here's why you should avoid self-medication
Chikungunya cases are surging in Mumbai, showing an upward trend. According to data from BMC's Epidemiology and Public Health Department Cell, a total of 265 cases of chikungunya were reported from January to July this year, compared to 46 in the corresponding period in 2024. Across Maharashtra, too, there has been a slight rise in cases of chikungunya with 1,512 cases reported this year as against 1189 in the corresponding period in 2024. Dr Daksha Shah, BMC's executive health officer, said the early onset of rain from May this year created a favourable environment for vector-borne diseases, resulting in a rise in cases. Concerns have been raised as chikungunya cases are spiralling in China, where an outbreak had infected 7,000 people since late June. The World Health Organisation (WHO), too, according to a recent update in June, has raised concerns about the ongoing spread of chikungunya in South Asia. What is chikungunya? It is an infection caused by the chikungunya virus, which is transmitted to humans by infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. These mosquitoes bite primarily during daylight hours. Aedes aegypti feeds both indoors and outdoors. While the overall fatality rate is low, severe disease can occur, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. What about symptoms, how long does the infection last? It is characterised by an abrupt onset of fever, frequently accompanied by severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash, all of which are also common to dengue and malaria. 'The infection is self-limiting but joint pain is the standout symptom. It is debilitating and lasts for a minimum of three months although you may recover in a week,' says Dr Rajesh Gadia, consulting physician at KEM Hospital, Pune. Dr Shashank Joshi, consulting physician with Lilavati Hospital, says in a season of fevers with overlapping symptoms, it is best to consult doctors and avoid self-medication. What about treatment and vaccines? Fever and joint pain are addressed with antipyretics and analgesics, drinking plenty of fluids and general rest. There is no specific antiviral drug. Two vaccines have received regulatory approvals but are not yet widely available nor in widespread use. Chikungunya has seasonal trends 'Chikungunya epidemics display cyclical and seasonal trends. There is an inter-epidemic period of four to eight years (sometimes as long as 20 years). Outbreaks are most likely to occur in the post-monsoon period when the vector density is very high,' says Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Bengaluru. What about prevention? Aedes aegypti breeds in stored fresh water in an urban and semi-urban environment. 'It is important to reduce such breeding sites. These are also daytime mosquitoes. Hence it would be a good idea to protect your legs and wear full-sleeve shirts when at work, during shopping or at the cinema hall, because that is where mosquitoes will find you. Use mosquito nets,' Dr Mishra says. These mosquitoes have a very short flight of a few hundred metres, so they don't spread very fast over long distances. 'Hence there is a localised spread of the disease, generally near the favourable breeding conditions,' Dr Mishra adds. Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Covid scare in Mumbai: Cases rise to 509; all you need to know
M UMBAI: Of the 37 Covid deaths recorded by the Centre Tuesday, Maharashtra has the maximum, followed by Kerala (9), Delhi (4), Karnataka (4), Tamil Nadu (3) and Uttar Pradesh (2). The union health ministry said Gujarat, MP, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal had reported a death each. In the state, one of the deaths had Parkinson's disease and hypertension, while one had diabetes, hypertension, and chronic renal fourth patient was immunocompromised and suffered from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and tuberculosis. Mumbai's total number of Covid-19 cases since May now stands at 509. There had also been three deaths in the city, all involving patients with severe co-morbidities. Doctors told TOI that most patients, even those with co-morbidities, are recovering. The state health department on Monday asked civic bodies to conduct mock drills of all the pressure swing absorption oxygen plants. Dr Daksha Shah, BMC's executive officer, health, said, "This will also be done in the city. State department will decide the dates." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Patients with Covid and co-morbidities at civic hospitals are being referred to Seven Hills Hospitals for further treatment and isolation. Continuous screening for influenza-like illness (ILI) has helped the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) identify 225 suspected patients out of 6,973 screened as of Monday. These individuals underwent Covid-19 testing, and six were found to be positive. One patient was admitted to a hospital in Vasai and later discharged, while the remaining five are in home isolation with very mild symptoms. Doctors at VVCMC said the hospitalised patient had multiple co-morbidities. The screening is a measure mandated by state guidelines, which direct civic bodies to maintain surveillance for ILI and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Covid-19 deaths in Mumbai rise to three amid ongoing surge
Mumbai: City health authorities revised the Covid-19 death toll in the recent surge from two to three, following the delayed reporting of an earlier fatality. "It was an old death that is reported now," said BMC's executive health officer, Dr Daksha Shah. The deceased was a 70-year-old man with heart disease who died at a private hospital nine days ago. His positive reports came after the death, and the BMC was informed about it two days ago. Dr Shah said the cause of death in this, like the previous two cases, was not Covid-19. On Sunday, the city reported two Covid-19 deaths—a 14-year-old girl with kidney disease and a 59-year-old woman with cancer—at civic-run KEM Hospital, Parel. Health officials maintained the patients died due to their preexisting conditions. Mumbai has seen a rise in Covid cases in May, with 177 of the city's 183 total cases for the year reported this month. Some patients were admitted at Seven Hills Hospital, Marol, for isolation, but none are critical. Meanwhile, neighbouring Thane city has reported 10 Covid-19 patients in the last three days. "They have mild symptoms and are being treated at home," said Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Rhea Reports Creative Content Services at Rhea Reports rhreareports Learn More Undo A 19-bed ward is operational at TMC's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa, with RTPCR testing facilities. State health officials said the overall trend remains sporadic, but they have increased surveillance and testing for Influenza-like illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). Mumbai: City health authorities revised the Covid-19 death toll in the recent surge from two to three, following the delayed reporting of an earlier fatality. "It was an old death that is reported now," said BMC's executive health officer, Dr Daksha Shah. The deceased was a 70-year-old man with heart disease who died at a private hospital nine days ago. His positive reports came after the death, and the BMC was informed about it two days ago. Dr Shah said the cause of death in this, like the previous two cases, was not Covid-19. On Sunday, the city reported two Covid-19 deaths—a 14-year-old girl with kidney disease and a 59-year-old woman with cancer—at civic-run KEM Hospital, Parel. Health officials maintained the patients died due to their preexisting conditions. Mumbai has seen a rise in Covid cases in May, with 177 of the city's 183 total cases for the year reported this month. Some patients were admitted at Seven Hills Hospital, Marol, for isolation, but none are critical. Meanwhile, neighbouring Thane city has reported 10 Covid-19 patients in the last three days. "They have mild symptoms and are being treated at home," said Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao. A 19-bed ward is operational at TMC's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa, with RTPCR testing facilities. State health officials said the overall trend remains sporadic, but they have increased surveillance and testing for Influenza-like illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Second highest active cases in Maharashtra as Covid marks an uptick
Amid rising cases of Covid-19 across cities like Singapore and Hong Kong, Maharashtra has also recorded an uptick in active cases over the past week with the total number of cases logging a spike from 12 to 56 in one week. As of Monday, at least 257 active Covid cases have been recorded across the country with Maharashtra accounting for the second highest number of cases. At 95 active cases, the highest number of Covid cases have been reported in Kerala, wherein one death has also been reported. Speaking to The Indian Express, senior officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that the cases of Covid have also registered a spike in Mumbai. 'While the cases have increased, the numbers are low and there is no cause for concern,' said Dr Daksha Shah, Executive Health officer at BMC. Recently, two deaths–of a 14-year-old woman and 54-year-old woman–were reported at the KEM hospital with some reports linking the mortality to Covid-19. However, the BMC on Monday clarified that the two patients died owing to serious comorbidity like Nephrotic Syndrome with Hypocalcemic seizures, cancers. The patients hailed from Sindhudurg and Dombivali. Even as officials maintained that no Covid deaths have been reported in the city thus far, the civic health department has enhanced its vigilance while increasing provision of special beds for the treatment of Covid patients. According to the BMC, 20 (MICU) beds have been reserved at Seven Hills hospital while 20 beds have been reserved for children and pregnant women each. At Kasturba hospital, meanwhile, two ICU beds and 10-beds in the ward have been earmarked for the treatment and guidance of Covid patients. Officials maintained that the capacity of beds will be increased across hospitals if the number of cases witness further spike. The spike in Covid cases have come at a time when the city is also experiencing an increase in the reports of respiratory ailments. 'Typically, Mumbai sees a rise in respiratory cases between March to May, besides November to December. However, since Covid tests are no longer a mandate, they are not conducted frequently unless someone specifically requires it,' an official from the civic health department told Express. Allaying fears, Dr Mohan Joshi, Dean, Sion Hospital, added, 'We are equipped with the essential drugs and testing labs. That said, there is no major cause for concern as nearly 99 per cent of our population have been vaccinated for Covid. Therefore, patients will largely experience mild symptoms like flarengitus.' Amid rising cases across the country, the Union health ministry on Monday said the cases reported in India are 'mostly mild, and 'not associated with unusual severity or mortality'. On Monday, the director general of health services chaired a meeting with experts from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, the disaster management cell and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Central government hospitals to take stock of the current situation. Maintaining that all cases are mild and require no hospitalisation, the Union health ministry said, 'A robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses including Covid-19 also exists in the country through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR. The Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health.'
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
City doctors report slight rise in Covid cases, request vigilance without worry
Mumbai: Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations are not only rising in Hong Kong and Singapore, but even in Mumbai, say doctors. However, they clarified that Covid cases are mild so far and not reminiscent of the pandemic-causing virus that wreaked havoc and killed millions across the world between 2020 and 2022. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the Union health ministry's Covid dashboard on Saturday, there are 93 active cases across the country at the moment. BMC executive health officer Dr Daksha Shah said there is no cause for concern as far as Covid is concerned. "We do see seven or nine odd cases every month as the Covid-causing coronavirus is endemic in the country," she said. However, the BMC public health department has already asked its doctors to be alert about fever cases. Dr Hemant Thacker from Breach Candy Hospital said that he received positive results for two patients on Saturday morning. "While there is news of a fresh Covid wave in high-density areas of Hong Kong and Singapore, one of my patients just arrived from London a couple of days ago and has a severe throat infection and cough,'' he said, adding that the second patient has no immediate travel history. Dr Pratit Samdani has already seen over half a dozen cases in the past few days. "Most of them seem like patients of common flu, but the test results showed Covid,'' he said, adding that these patients are young and not elderly, who are known to be more susceptible to the virus. Global news agencies said that Singapore's health ministry has reported a 28% jump in estimated cases, reaching 14,200 in the first week of May. Hospitalisations, too, rose by around 30% during the same period, the report cited. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dr Thacker, however, said there is no reason to panic as Indians have developed good immunity against the virus. Doctors said while it's too early to discuss Covid revaccination, people could benefit from taking the flu vaccine. "The flu vaccine would help with other viruses as well,'' he said. Dr Samdani said people should use universal precautions such as use of masks and stay at home in case they get fever.
