After June, gastroenteritis also known as stomach infection continues to remain the most common cause of monsoon-related ailment in Mumbai, showed data from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Since last month, the city has already reported over 2,600 cases of gastroenteritis. To avoid monsoon-related ailments, the BMC also issued an advisory on Tuesday.

In the first 16 days of July this year, the city already surpassed the total number of gastroenteritis cases reported last year in the same month. In July 2022, a total of 679 cases of gastroenteritis were reported dwarfed by the 932 cases as of July 16 in this year. The actual figure would be much higher as often the private practitioners do not report such cases to the civic body. Last month, the city reported 1,744 cases of gastroenteritis.

Across Mumbai, many residents are complaining of gastroenteritis. Recently, the filmmaker Hansal Mehta,took to social media where he complained of stomach infection due to alleged consumption of contaminated drinking water. However, later Dr Nilesh Pavle, the Medical Officer of Health (MOH)  refuted the claim of contaminated water.

“On a daily basis, we collect water samples for testing but we haven’t found any contamination,” he said.

This is not an isolated case. The stomach infection can happen due to consumption of contaminated food or water in the monsoon—that provides the suitable environment for the bacteria to thrive. Stomach cramps, frequent watery stools, vomiting and nausea are some of the tell-tale signs of stomach infections.

Patients with similar symptoms are flocking to hospitals for treatment. “Humid conditions provide the suitable environment for bacteria to grow. So, roadside foods should be avoided. Also, improper handling, or inadequate cooking of food adds to the digestive issues,” said Dr Avinash Supe, gastroenterologist at Hinduja Hospital and former dean of KEM hospital.

Dr Aniket Mule, consultant internal medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road who is attending to 1-2 cases of stomach infection daily advised to drink boiled water, avoid eating raw food like salads, cooking the vegetables properly and to maintain good personal hygiene by washing hands from time to time. “Generally, patients recover within a week with proper rest, ORS and antibiotics (if needed). But in severe cases, some may require admission. So, it is always advisable to avoid self-medication,” said Dr Mule.

With the ongoing rainfall, the cases of leptospirosis have also surged to 104 between July 1-16. Last month, the city witnessed 97 cases. However, BMC attributed this rise in cases to better reporting as the number of reporting units has increased from 22 to 880. These units include BMC dispensaries, BMC Hospitals, HBT clinics, additional private labs and private hospitals.

To prevent leptospirosis, BMC has advised people to avoid wading in rain or puddles, refrain from walking barefoot during heavy rains. If exposed to stagnant rainwater,the residents should opt for prophylactic treatment as per medical advice.

To be safe against mosquitoes borne diseases, the civic body has advised to use mosquito nets while sleeping, keep the surroundings clean to avoid breeding of mosquitoes in stagnant water.