Mumbai Sees 39% Rise In Malaria, Spike In Chikungunya Amid Early Rains In 2025

Mumbai: The early onset of rain in May this year created a favourable environment for vector-borne and water-borne diseases, leading to an increase in malaria and gastroenteritis cases in 2025 compared to 2024. In Mumbai, malaria cases have risen by 39 percent this year. Similarly, the city has witnessed a sharp increase in chikungunya cases, with 136 reported so far compared to just 21 last year. However, there has been a drop in leptospirosis cases.

Data from January to June shows that malaria cases have increased from 2,055 last year to 2,857 this year. Dengue cases have gone up slightly from 431 to 452, while gastroenteritis cases rose from 4,200 to 4,513. Chikungunya has seen the sharpest rise, whereas leptospirosis cases dropped from 140 last year to 101 this year. Hepatitis cases climbed from 347 to 437, while Covid-19 cases declined from 1,392 to 992 during the same period.

To tackle the rising threat, the Heath Department of BMC conducted a special construction drive in May and June, inspecting 3,033 construction sites and collecting 50,085 blood slides. A total of 30 people tested positive for malaria during these inspections and have been provided with the necessary medical treatment. A senior civic official, cases of malaria at construction sites were found across Mumbai.

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“Residents are advised to ensure that there is no standing water in and around their homes or nearby buildings. Items such as old tyres, unused water tanks, pipes, and plastic containers should not be left lying around, as they can collect water and become mosquito breeding sites,” said the official, adding that people are encouraged to use mosquito nets or repellents, especially while sleeping, and to seek medical help immediately if they develop a fever. In addition, citizens can visit the nearest BMC-operated Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana or a BMC hospital for prompt and complete treatment.

As part of its vector control measures, the civic body inspected 72,795 breeding sites for malaria and detected Anopheles mosquito breeding at 6,506 locations. For dengue prevention, Aedes mosquito breeding was found at 27,456 sites, and over 85,000 odd articles and tyres were removed to stop water from accumulating and mosquitoes from breeding.