Pune: Heavy spells of rain , followed by intervals of intense heat and humidity, have sparked a sharp rise in dengue and chikungunya cases in the city, with both private and government hospitals reporting an increase in patients. PMC health officials said July and August have been particularly worrisome. Of the 1,725 cases of suspected dengue so far this year, 1,238 (70%) were detected in these two months alone.
As for confirmed cases of dengue, there have been 94 positive patients so far in Pune city — 84 of them (nearly 90%) were detected in the July-August period. Intense rains, followed by hot days, creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes , experts said. Doctors from private hospitals in the city said dengue-like symptoms are being seen in all age groups and confirmed that admissions have gone up.
Data released by PMC also showed there have been 54 confirmed cases of chikungunya this year — 44 of them were reported in the July-August period. Municipal officials said Rs 5.72 lakh in fines have been collected so far from homes and businesses that were fowith mosquito breeding spots within premises.
“This is also happening due to changing rainfall patterns,” said PMC’s assistant health officer, Dr Suryakant Devkar. “Intense rainfall in the evenings followed by bright sunny mornings creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. But this increase in cases can also be attributed to improved surveillance for Zika, which has been rereported in the city,�.