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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Evening fever OPDs to tackle surge in monsoon illnesses
MUMBAI: With the onset of monsoon showers, Mumbai's civic-run hospitals are witnessing a sharp spike in cases of viral fever, influenza and other seasonal infections. To manage the growing patient load and offer timely care, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched evening Fever Outpatient Departments (Fever OPDs) at its major hospitals. The initiative aims to provide quick screening, reduce crowding in general OPDs, and improve access to healthcare for the city's working population. The evening Fever OPD at Nair Hospital is already operational, while Sion Hospital will begin services from June 7. KEM Hospital is expected to follow shortly, and Cooper Hospital will start its Fever OPD within a week. These clinics will function daily from 4pm to 8pm, a decision aimed at benefiting office-goers and workers who are unable to visit hospitals during regular working hours. 'Evening OPDs allow patients to seek timely care without compromising their work or income. They also help ease the daytime crowd in our hospitals,' a senior BMC health official said. The initiative comes amid an unusually early surge in seasonal illnesses. The sudden onset of the monsoon, coupled with fluctuating temperatures and high humidity, has led to a rise in both respiratory and vector-borne infections across the city. HT had reported that major hospitals have reported a 20–30% increase in such cases, well ahead of the usual June-July peak. Dr Kirti Sabnis, infectious disease specialist at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, confirmed the trend. 'Nearly 20–25% of our OPD patients are currently presenting with cough, cold or flu-like symptoms,' she said. 'These are classic monsoon-related respiratory infections, including mild Covid-19 cases, and they're appearing earlier than expected due to premature rains.' Dr Mohan Joshi, dean of Sion Hospital, said the evening OPDs are essential to contain the spread of these illnesses. 'Every monsoon, we face a sharp rise in cases presenting with fever—ranging from viral infections to serious conditions such as dengue or leptospirosis. Evening OPDs allow us to reach a wider section of society and provide early diagnosis and treatment before symptoms worsen,' he said. Dr Shailesh Mohite, dean of Nair Hospital, added that dedicated fever clinics help streamline patient flow and minimise risk. 'Segregating fever patients from general OPDs prevents overcrowding and limits cross-infection within hospital premises,' he said. Doctors at the fever OPDs will screen patients showing symptoms such as fever, body ache, sore throat or rashes. Suspected cases of dengue, malaria and leptospirosis will be referred for further testing and treatment. The BMC has also intensified its anti-dengue drive. Between January and May 2025, civic workers identified 25,169 mosquito breeding sites across the city. So far, 2,292 buildings and 2.72 million slum units been fumigated. In comparison, the entire year of 2024 saw 590,000 buildings and 790,000 slum units being fumigated—signalling an aggressive early intervention this year. Doctors are urging citizens not to ignore persistent fever or flu-like symptoms and avoid self-medication. High-risk groups, such as children, senior citizens and those with comorbidities, are advised to seek prompt medical consultation. With heavy rains expected in the coming weeks, BMC officials say the launch of evening Fever OPDs will be a critical tool in Mumbai's fight against monsoon-related health risks.
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.'
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Surge in viral, respiratory infections after pre-monsoon showers
MUMBAI: The city is witnessing a marked rise in seasonal infections—ranging from high-grade fever and dry cough to throat irritation, fatigue and respiratory distress—following a sudden spell of pre-monsoon rainfall over the past five days. Health experts and clinicians across the city have flagged this uptick as a direct consequence of erratic weather, increased humidity and stagnant water accumulation, all of which create a fertile environment for viral and bacterial growth, particularly affecting the respiratory tract. Mumbai witnessed an intense spell of unseasonal rainfall this week, marking the city's wettest May since 2021. Between Tuesday and Thursday morning, the Santacruz observatory recorded 34 mm of rainfall, nearly four times the city's average for the entire month of May. 'This shift from dry heat to high humidity within days disrupts the body's ability to regulate temperature and fight infections,' said Dr B A Chaurasia, consultant in internal medicine at Kokilaben Hospital. 'We are now seeing a consistent increase in respiratory infections—particularly upper respiratory tract issues like viral pharyngitis, bronchitis and flu.' Public hospitals such as KEM, Nair and Sion have reported a 30–40% increase in outpatient consultations in the past week. Many patients complain of lingering fatigue and a persistent cough that lasts beyond the usual viral cycle. 'At Sion Hospital alone, we've seen a significant jump in OPD cases, especially those involving fever, throat pain and severe fatigue,' said Dr Mohan Joshi, dean of the BMC-run Sion Hospital. 'While most cases are viral and self-limiting, a few patients—particularly senior citizens and those with diabetes or asthma—have developed complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, requiring hospitalisation.' Dr Raj Kishore Agarwal, senior consultant in general medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, said, 'In just five days, we've seen a noticeable shift in patient profiles. What started as isolated flu cases is now a wave—especially in the elderly and those with diabetes and asthma. Fluctuating weather stresses the immune system and enables rapid viral spread.' Clinically, such transitional weather patterns weaken mucosal barriers in the respiratory tract, making it easier for airborne pathogens to invade. The combination of moisture-laden air, cooler evenings and damp clothing after exposure to rain further aggravates the condition. 'Respiratory viruses thrive in humid environments,' said Dr Gautam Bhansali, consultant physician at Bombay Hospital. 'The pre-monsoon rain has created ideal conditions for rhinoviruses and influenza strains to circulate widely. These pathogens survive longer in moist air and spread faster in crowded urban settings like Mumbai.' From an epidemiological standpoint, pre-monsoon periods have increasingly become fertile ground for infections that previously peaked only in winter or during the monsoon. Experts suggest that this change may be a direct outcome of climate variability, which is expanding and shifting traditional disease windows. The BMC has urged residents to remain cautious and follow preventive protocols such as hand hygiene, mask usage and timely vaccination—especially for those at higher risk. 'People must understand that even short-term rains can create long-term health impacts,' said a senior BMC health officer. 'We are reinforcing community-level alerts and ramping up our fever surveillance network.' Doctors are also advising residents to avoid self-medication and seek professional help if symptoms persist beyond three to five days. They warn that ignoring flu-like symptoms could lead to complications, particularly in those with chronic respiratory or metabolic conditions. With IMD forecasting more unseasonal showers in the coming week and an early monsoon onset expected by May 27, healthcare providers are bracing for continued spikes in seasonal infections. As the city adjusts to this sudden shift in weather, clinicians emphasise the importance of early diagnosis, rest, hydration and cautious exposure to rain and damp environments.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Oppn continues demand for delimitation of four-member wards as civic polls loom
1 2 Pune: Opposition parties are continuing to demand scrappage of the four-member wards system, even as the Supreme Court's latest directives have come as a welcome sign for their push to conduct long-awaited civic polls in the years, parties currently in the opposition have dubbed the system of a panel with four members per ward unfair. They claim it is politically motivated and gives the upper hand to the parties that are ruling at this system, four members are present in each ward panel and the public votes for system was first used by the then-BJP govt in 2017, and the party garnered a clear majority in the civic elections held that 2022, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt, including the (then united) NCP, (then united) Shiv Sena and Congress had put the brakes on this system and pushed for a three-member ward system option regaining power in 2024, the BJP-led Mahayuti once more began the process to reintroduce a four-member Tuesday, the SC directed for the conduct of civic polls based on the pre-2022 system, paving the way to hold elections with a four-member ward parties are protesting the same. "The four-member system gives no scope for competition. It increases the probability of victory for ruling parties. This system is not democratic, so it should be scrapped, and smaller wards should be introduced," said Ankush Kakade, state spokesperson of NCP (SP).According to the state election commission (SEC) data, no municipal corporations in Maharashtra have gone to polls since 2020. All are currently being administered by a municipal commissioner, who is also doubling up as an many as 27 civic bodies, including Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are being controlled by civic officials. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has the longest-serving administrator rule, starting in April 2020. The last municipal corporation to opt for this system was Dhule, where the administrator took over the functioning in Dec tenure of the Pune (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad (PCMC) municipal corporations ended in March 2022. Since then, both have been under an administrator's Congress functionary Mohan Joshi said, "The SC ruling comes as a sigh of relief for people. State govt was avoiding conducting civic polls. The ruling parties wanted to keep the civic bodies in their control by avoiding elections. Even now, they want to take undue advantage with the four-member ward system."However, BJP members said the demand for a three-member ward system is outdated now. Some said the polls will be conducted as per the old system, and the opposition's claim that this move benefits ruling parties has no basis. "The apex court's ruling has given clear directives and polls will be held as per the system introduced in 2017. The opposition claims of an unfair system are futile. The BJP and its alliances succeeded in previous civic polls due to their policies and performance," said Ujwal Keskar, a senior BJP Pimpri Chinchwad, delimitation of wards had become an important issue between BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena. During the previous MVA govt tenure, a draft proposed for holding elections to PCMC contained three-member wards, even as BJP was demanding to continue with the existing four-member wards at the Bhosale, city president of Shiv Sena (UBT) in Pimpri Chinchwad, said "Though we were demanding a three-member ward system earlier, considering that the Supreme Court has now directed EC to conduct civic polls in four months, it would not be possible to change the system completely. So, we are ready to face elections either way."(With inputs from Alim Shaikh)
