Flooding and Fevers

With frequent waterlogging and flooding, Mumbai city has become a breeding ground for several infectious diseases. Awareness and prevention are key to staying healthy during these months.

Flooding in Mumbai during monsoons

Common Diseases During Monsoon

1. Leptospirosis – This bacterial infection spreads when people wade through flooded water contaminated with rodent urine. It can cause fever, body ache, jaundice, and even kidney damage if untreated. The city, which reports a high burden of leptospirosis in monsoon, recorded 143 cases in July 2025. In August, BMC data shows 72 cases have already been reported. Among those diagnosed this month was the 21-year-old daughter of Prakash Gaonkar, a taxi driver from Reay Road. She was hospitalised for a week after developing acute respiratory distress syndrome due to leptospirosis. She suffered kidney injury and severe breathlessness as a result of her condition. The family spent about Rs 2.5 lakh at a private hospital to save her life.

2. Gastrointestinal Infections – Typhoid, cholera, and gastroenteritis spread rapidly due to contaminated food and water. Floods often compromise water pipelines leading to outbreaks.

3. Mosquito-borne Illnesses – Stagnant rainwater encourages mosquito breeding, leading to malaria, dengue, and chikungunya.

4. Respiratory Illnesses – Damp conditions trigger flu, common cold, and fungal infections, particularly in crowded localities.

Prevention Tips for Individuals

• Avoid floodwater: Do not wade through stagnant water. If unavoidable, wear protective footwear.

• Safe drinking water: Always consume boiled or filtered water. Wash raw salads and fruits thoroughly.

• Food hygiene: Avoid roadside food during monsoon; eat freshly cooked meals.

• Mosquito control: Use repellents, cover water storage containers, and ensure there is no stagnant water around homes.

• Personal hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap to prevent infections.

• Seek medical help early: High fever, jaundice, severe stomach upset, or bleeding gums require immediate medical attention.

Community & Public Measures: Residents should report waterlogging and mosquito breeding sites to local authorities. Housing societies must ensure regular fumigation and cleaning of common areas.

Dr Neelesh Kamath, a physician at Ashok Hospital, said the problem with most monsoon illnesses is their symptoms overlap. “Patients mistake their condition for something mild and delay treatment until it becomes worse,” he said. Dr Anita Mathews, an infectious disease specialist at Fortis Hospital in Mulund, said while most leptospirosis patients show mild symptoms, the 1% to 2% who develop severe disease can still turn out to be a substantial number when infections are widespread.

Dr S P Mathew, director of the department of Internal medicine at Ashok One Hospital, added the benefits of doxycycline far outweigh risks such as antibiotic resistance. He also said, "The civic body should also focus on other preventive measures: treating infected animals, maintaining cleanliness, and preventing floods."