The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Public Health Department has reported a significant rise in monsoon-related illnesses in the first half of 2025, with notable increases in malaria and gastroenteritis cases. This spike is attributed to the early onset of monsoon showers in May, which created a conducive environment for the spread of vector-borne and water-borne diseases.

Data released by the BMC shows that malaria cases rose sharply to 2,857 between January and June 2025, compared to 2,055 in the same period last year. Gastroenteritis also saw an increase, with 4,513 cases reported this year against 4,200 in 2024. Hepatitis cases grew from 347 to 437, while chikungunya infections jumped from 21 to 136, indicating an alarming upward trend. Dengue cases saw a marginal rise, from 431 to 452. Meanwhile, COVID-19 infections showed a decline, with 992 cases reported in the first half of 2025, down from 1,392 during the same period last year.

To tackle the rise in vector-borne diseases, the BMC initiated a Special Construction Drive in May and June. As part of this initiative, 3,033 construction sites across the city were inspected. Over 50,000 blood samples were collected, leading to the detection of 30 malaria cases, all of which received appropriate medical care.