The recent spell of showers that lashed the city has kept Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) health department on its toes. Health officials of the civic body fear an outbreak of monsoon-related diseases in the city. However, according to experts, the city will not see a rise in H1N1 cases.

“Experts in the health department say that there will not be an increase in swine flu cases in Mumbai and Maharashtra because of the rain,” said Sharvaree Gokhle, additional chief secretary (health), state health department.

“Rain does not cause rise in H1N1 cases. It depends on humidity and temperature. Even though there is humidity and a slight dip in the temperature, it will not sustain for long,” said Dr Jairaj Thanekar, executive health officer, public health department, BMC.

“But we are constantly monitoring the swine flu situation in the city,” he said.

As part of its preparedness for the second wave of H1N1 influenza, the BMC has increased the number of beds —10 more— at King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“This ICU will be exclusively for swine flu patients,” said Dr Sanjay Oak, dean, KEM Hospital. Apart from KEM Hospital, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Sion is also increasing the number of beds at its ICU.

“B Y L Nair Hospital’s swine flu ICU is already functional. LTMG Hospital is in a process to increase the bed capacity by six to eight by mid October,” said Dr Oak.

“An expected rise in number of leptospirosis, dengue and malaria cases is more warrisome,” said Dr Oak. “This monsoon, Mumbai witnessed a rise in Malaria cases and this will continue till the monsoon withdraws,” said Dr Thanekar.

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