Malaria in Mumbai: Over 8,000 cases in 14 days

Mumbai:  In the last fortnight, nearly 9,000 cases have been reported in Mumbai - the highest in four years.

Compared to other metros, Mumbai is clearly on the edge. While 8,642 cases have been registered in Mumbai, Delhi has seen just five cases, and Bangalore zero, in the last two weeks.

Most cases have been reported from Central Mumbai, where over a 100 big construction projects are underway.

A building in Lower Parel which is surrounded by three projects has reported nearly 200 cases this monsoon.

''In this building, in every home, there are 4-5 people who have malaria. Civic workers come for checks, but what do you expect when there are three buildings being constructed around us,'' said a Lower Parel resident.

Much of the blame, the health authorities say lie with the builders for not following civic norms, which make it compulsory for them to carry out anti-larvae treatment at construction sites.

"Since we do not want to put the lives of Mumbaikars at risk, we have started carrying out these activities ourselves and we will recover the expenses from them," said Dr Girish Ambe, Executive Health Officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

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Tags: Malaria in Mumbai