Pune’s Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Outbreak Worsens Amid Monsoon Season
Pune, 27th July 2024: Dengue cases are constantly increasing in Pune. This month, a total of 389 suspected cases have been reported. Due to the monsoon, these dengue cases have been on the rise. Additionally, 8 chikungunya patients have been reported, and there is an ongoing Zika outbreak with more than 30 cases detected.
In this month alone, Pune has had 389 suspected dengue cases, with 11 confirmed. Last month, there were 157 suspected dengue cases, with only 1 confirmed. From January to May, the number of cases each month was less than 100: January had 96, February 75, March 64, April 51, and May 44. The numbers started increasing with the onset of the monsoon in June. So far this year, 873 suspected dengue cases have been reported, with 21 confirmed in Pune. Additionally, there have been 18 chikungunya cases this year, with 5 in February, 4 in March, 1 in June, and 8 in July. The Health Department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has revealed that not a single malaria case has been reported in Pune this year.
Due to the onset of the monsoon, the number of mosquitoes has increased, leading to a rise in mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Hence, the PMC Health Department is actively working to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. This year, fines totaling Rs 4.37 lakh have been collected from 1,174 people after mosquito breeding sites were found on their properties.
*Zika cases rise to 37*
The number of Zika cases in the city has reached 37. Among them, Erandwane and Dahanukar Colony have the highest number with 8 cases each. Other areas affected include Mundhwa with 4 cases, Pashan with 4, Kharadi with 3, Ambegaon Budruk, Kalas, Sukhsagar Nagar, and Ghole Road with 2 cases each, and Lohegaon and Dhankawadi with 1 case each, totaling 37 cases. Of these, 13 are pregnant women, according to PMC Assistant Health Officer Dr. Suryakant Devkar.
