Thursday, August 11, 2005

Leptospirosis breaks out in Mumbai, Thane

Leptospirosis breaks out in Mumbai, Thane
By: UNI August 11, 2005

A fortnight after floods left over 700 people dead in Mumbai and adjoining Thane district, an outbreak of leptospirosis in the city and its suburbs, as also in the Kalyan-Dombivli belt, has claimed the lives of another 66 people.

This was confirmed by state health director Subash Salunkhe at a press conference in the presence of Health Minister Dr Vimal Mundada and Medical Education Minister Dilip Walse-Patil in Mumbai this evening.

As many as 37 people have died in the city and its suburbs and the remaining 29 in the adjoining Thane district, Dr Salunkhe added.

But Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh only alerted the people about the ''threat of epidemic'' and urged them to take necessary precautions against the spread of water-borne diseases in the aftermath of floods.

At the same time, the chief minister has asked the municipal, government and private hospitals to reserve 10 per cent beds for the leptospirosis cases and provide free treatment to the patients.

Deshmukh issued the direction after presiding over a high-level meeting attended by the health minister, chief secretary Premkumar, BMC commissioner Johny Joseph, health secretary G S Gill, and the health director. The chief minister also visited Nair Hospital for a personal interface with the patients and doctors.

Read the full article here : Leptospirosis breaks out in Mumbai, Thane

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