PMC areas reported most Dengue cases in state last year: Malaria, chikungunya cases dip, dengue on the rise

Chikungunya cases have also gone down. From 2,949 cases in 2016, the state registered 1,438 cases in 2017. In Pune, there were 233 cases in 2016 which came down to 87 cases in 2017.

State health officials directed municipal corporations and councils to strengthen surveillance and take up steps like spraying insecticide and fogging. Express

While Maharashtra saw a dip in malaria and chikungunya cases last year, there has been a rise in dengue cases. With 1,691 dengue cases, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) areas saw the highest number last year across the state, more than double of the 635 cases in 2016. Against 33 deaths in the state due to dengue in 2016, there were 65 deaths in 2017. Maharashtra had a total of 6,792 cases of dengue in 2016 which climbed to 7,829 in 2017. In January and February this year, there were 179 cases of dengue across the state.

On Monday, state health officials took stock of the number of cases and deaths due to vector-borne diseases and directed municipal corporations and councils to strengthen surveillance and start measures like spraying insecticide and fogging.

The PMC areas saw the largest numbers with 1,691 cases of dengue in 2017 against 635 cases in 2016. There were 187 cases of dengue in rural areas of Pune in 2016 while in 2017 there were 174 cases. One death was registered due to dengue in 2016 in PMC areas against eight deaths in 2017. Pune rural areas also saw a jump in number of dengue deaths. Against two deaths in 2016, there were 13 deaths in 2017 in Pune rural areas.

Story continues below this ad

Dr MS Diggikar, the Joint Director of Health, told The Indian Express that there was a decline in the number of malaria cases from 23,983 in 2016 to 17,710 cases in 2017. There were 26 malaria deaths in 2016, which came down to 15 in 2017. In January and February this year, there were 983 cases of malaria. Gadchiroli, Greater Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Gondia showed high number of malaria cases. In Pune, there were 45 cases of malaria in 2016 and 2017.

Chikungunya cases have also gone down. From 2,949 cases in 2016, the state registered 1,438 cases in 2017. In Pune, there were 233 cases in 2016 which came down to 87 cases in 2017. “We have now issued a district-wise circular directing health officials to step up strategies to prevent vector borne diseases,” Dr Diggikar said.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

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

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Loading Taboola...

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, unaffected by tariff row, hal unaffected by tariff row, Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk 1A, D K Sunil, Indian express news, current affairs

Fighter engine talks with US are on, unaffected by tariff row: HAL chief

India7 hr ago

HAL Chairman and Managing Director D K Sunil assures that the government's recent order for 97 Tejas Mk 1A is a vote of confidence, despite the delay in delivering the initial order of 83 aircraft. He addresses concerns about the supply chain and negotiations with GE for F414 engines.

View all shorts

Live Blog