Mumbai: Mumbai has seen a sharp increase in malaria cases this year, with 3,490 cases recorded from January to mid-July 2025 compared to 2,852 during the same period in 2024. This rise is largely due to the early onset of rains in May, which created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding. Along with malaria, chikungunya cases have also seen a sharp increase, rising from 46 last year to 179 this year.
However, dengue cases have decreased slightly, with 734 reported in 2025 compared to 966 in 2024. Water-borne diseases such as leptospirosis, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis have shown a decline during the same period.
In response to this situation, the BMC has launched the “Zero Mosquito Breeding Campaign” following a recent visit by officials from the National Center for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) in Delhi. The campaign focuses on preventing mosquito breeding in municipal hospitals, offices, and residential areas across the city.
Between July 1 and 14, the BMC conducted extensive field activities, surveying over 6.7 lakh houses and screening more than 32 lakh people for fever. Around 1 lakh blood samples were collected for contact tracing. Health camps and workplace interventions were held to raise awareness and provide medical support.
Vector control teams inspected more than 22,000 breeding sites, identifying over 14,000 spots with dengue mosquito breeding and 3,300 with malaria mosquito breeding. The corporation removed nearly 38,000 discarded items like tires that could collect water and serve as breeding grounds. Fogging operations covered more than 25,000 buildings and over 4 lakh huts.
The BMC has urged citizens to prevent stagnant water accumulation around their homes, avoid keeping old tires or containers, and use mosquito repellents or nets. People experiencing fever symptoms are advised to visit the nearest BMC clinics instead of self-medicating.
Additional precautions include drinking boiled water, avoiding uncovered street food, and following COVID-19 safety measures, especially for high-risk groups. The corporation emphasizes community participation as crucial in controlling monsoon-related diseases this season.
