Ahmedabad: The monsoon may have retreated, but mosquitoes are still thriving in Ahmedabad, with dengue cases piling up even after the rains. Nearly 60% of the city’s dengue cases recorded so far this year were reported in just 41 days spanning Sept and the first 11 days of Oct.According to epidemic data released by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) health department on Tuesday, the city recorded 893 dengue cases between Sept 1 and Oct 11, averaging more than 21 cases daily. Of these, 137 were reported in the first 11 days of Oct alone.Ahmedabad recorded 1,481 dengue cases between Jan 1 and Oct 11, with the Sept-Oct period accounting for 60.3% of the total. Sept alone saw 756 cases.An AMC official said the civic body had intensified efforts to curb mosquito breeding through awareness campaigns in residential societies and inspections of commercial premises, particularly construction sites.“Cases of mosquito-borne epidemics, including dengue, have surged in Ahmedabad,” the official said, adding that water containers kept for birds in housing societies often become breeding grounds when left uncleaned. Residents are also being urged to change water in coolers regularly amid the prevailing daytime heat.The official identified Gota, Jagatpur, Chandkheda, Bodakdev and Thaltej as areas witnessing a rise in dengue cases, with Vastral, Lambha and Nikol also reporting infections.Following the recent spell of rain, AMC surveyed more than 200 open plots where water had stagnated. “Steps are being taken to drain this standing water and spray larvicides to eliminate breeding sites,” the official said, adding that inspections would be intensified to prevent a further rise in cases.Between Jan 1 and Oct 11, the city also recorded 468 simple malaria cases, 92 falciparum malaria cases and 17 chikungunya cases. Other monsoon-related illnesses included 4,184 cases of gastroenteritis, 634 of jaundice and 1,758 of typhoid.In the first 11 days of Oct, the city reported 56 gastroenteritis cases, 23 jaundice cases and 73 typhoid cases. Of 2,368 water samples collected for bacteriological testing during the period, six were found unfit for consumption.
