The BMC's Health Department, which compiled the statistics from 18 civic hospitals in the city and suburbs, said till late Thursday, among the 580 persons , 141 were undergoing treatment. But unofficial sources claimed the figures were much higher, were only from civic hospitals and did not account for cases admitted at private hospitals and nursing homes.

Officials claimed that the BMC has checked drinking water lines to detect impurities. However, Sardar Tara Singh, who handles the health portfolio, brushed off queries from reporters with ``Last year around this time there were a total of 21 deaths. Comparatively, the figures are lower this time.''

BMC Executive Health Officer Alka Karande also claimed that deaths due to gastro were lesser this year that last year. ``The number of cases may be more,'' she admitted, ``as privatedoctors and hospitals which are supposed to report the cases to the BMC mostly do not do so.''

Dr S V Pai, civic epidemiologist, asserted that there was no epidemic. Last September, there were 26 deaths due to gastro, she said, adding that deaths this year occurred in the first week of September. ``In the last few days of the heavy rainfall there have been no deaths yet.'' Most deaths reported have occurred at Malad, Nair and Sion hospitals. However, a private practitioner from Borivli, Dr G M Chhadwa said gastro cases are likely to be found at low-lying areas in the city where the sewerage and drains are in pathetic conditions. He said areas prone to a gastro attack are slums near Powai lake, Bhiwandi, Thane, Antop Hill and Sion.