Mumbai: H1N1, dengue deadliest in rains as 6 die in June, July

MUMBAI: Monsoon-related diseases have claimed six lives in the city in June and July, the youngest being an eight-year-old, the BMC said on Tuesday. Dengue and influenza H1N1 claimed two lives each, while malaria and leptospirosis caused one fatality each.
H1N1 deaths have been recorded in the city after two years, and cases have jumped by 325% over last year. It has emerged as the second-most virulent respiratory viral disease after Covid-19. After a lull in 2020 and 2021, the cases have jumped (see box). More than half the cases were reported in August.
A 42-year-old man from C ward (Bhuleshwar) and a 44-year-old from K-East (Andheri) succumbed in July. The Bhuleshwar man had a history of breathlessness and fever since July 9. He had travelled from the US to Kashmir before arriving in Mumbai. His condition worsened rapidly, and he died two days later.
Dr Vasant Nagvekar, an infectious disease expert, said H1N1 surpassed Covid admissions in July, but since testing is not widespread, its real burden is unknown. The second victim, with a history of hypertension and obesity, had breathlessness and cough. His cause of death was H1N1 pneumonitis.
The city has seen a dengue surge in August. In three weeks, 105 confirmed cases have been reported, accounting for 36% of the year's total (289). "August is when dengue cases surge typically as rains become intermittent," added Gomare.
An eight-year-old girl, a resident of R-South ward (Kandivli), was moved to three hospitals before she died of cardiac arrest on June 22. The BMC said she had a history of fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and loose motions. Dr Mangala Gomare, BMC's executive health officer, said some deaths have been among people with comorbidities. A 38-year-old man with kidney disease and an aortic valve replacement presented with fever, chills, headache, and vomiting since July 7. The resident of from H-East ward (Bandra) passed away on July 10.
The first leptospirosis victim was a 34-year-old man from ward H-East who had waded through rainwater. He died on July 4, two days after developing fever with chills, body ache and giddiness.
The falciparum malaria victim was a 55-year-old man from D Ward (Tardeo, Girgaum, Walkeshwar) who succumbed on July 23.