Heat puts Mumbaikars in sick bay

Mumbai: A prolonged spell of heat and humidity, coupled with a constantly changing climate, has led to a rash of febrile illnesses among Mumbaikars. An infectious diseases expert attached to a civic-run hospital said that thousands of Mumbaikars had been admitted to hospitals this month.

As per civic reports, municipal hospitals are still witnessing an average 150 to 200 suspected dengue admissions every day. Dr Avinash Supe, director of major civic hospitals, told The Asian Age, “If the temperature remains like this, the number of patients suffering from diarrhoea is likely to increase.”

“A large number of patients suffering from diarrhoea visiting hospitals and clinics are complaining of maladies like fever, cold, cough and sore throat owing to change in climate,” he said.

Dr Ragini Parekh, head of the ophthalmology department of state-run J.J. Hospital, said that there had been over 30 cases reported every day.

“There are 30 people walking in every day with viral infections of the eyes. High humidity and intermittent rains have led to a rise in cases of eye diseases. Rain and increased humidity provide an ideal environment for the growth and spread of disease-causing viruses and bacteria,” she said.

Change in climate had given rise to viral infections such as fever, dehydration and dysentery, said general physician Dr Dilip Patil.