Malaria, gastro numbers are not ‘unusual’

Mumbai: Rains may have just hit the city but over 700 malaria and 400 gastroenteritis cases have already been reported so far this month. As per civic records, however, the city may not be faring too poorly on the disease meter compared to previous years.      Executive health officer Dr Anil Bandivadekar said malaria cases are well under control and stringent measures have been put in place to check  mosquito breeding. "Last month, we saw 1,388 cases of malaria, which is less than half of what we saw in May 2011," he said. Gastroenteritis cases have also dipped slightly to 1,126 in May this year from 1,371 in the corresponding month last year.      Doctors say their outpatient departments have started seeing malaria and gastroenteritis cases but the numbers are not unusual. Physician Dr Mayur Patel, who consults at Jaslok and Saifee Hospitals, said that he has treated three to four malaria cases in the last few days. "Those were all cases of vivax and all patients came with symptoms like fever and cold," he said. He, however, added that there has been no spurt in gastroenteritis cases and they are now seen round-the-year.      ACS Health Pvt Ltd chairman Dr Ashish Tiwari said that people should take precautions such as washing hands before eating food and avoiding roadside eatables. "It is imperative to drink safe water either by installing a water purifier or by boiling water at home," he said, adding that vaccinating the family against Hepatitis A and typhoid may do good for vulnerable patients.      The civic machinery said it was fully geared to tackle the monsoon. KEM Hospital dean Dr Sanjay Oak said the hospital had set aside 150 beds for monsoon ailments.