Increase Measures to Prevent Malaria and Dengue – Instructions from Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar

Minister orders investigation into rat extermination campaign

Mumbai : In light of the rising number of malaria and dengue cases in Mumbai despite ongoing preventive efforts, Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar has directed that all preventive measures be increased by 25% in the coming period.

Minister Shelar reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting at Mantralaya regarding the growing number of dengue and malaria cases in Mumbai. Present at the meeting were BMC Additional Commissioners Bipin Sharma, Amit Saini, Abhijit Bangar, Executive Health Officer Dr. Daksha Shah, along with other health and district officials.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that 2.5 lakh rats had been exterminated in the city over the last six months. Minister Shelar ordered a thorough investigation into this rat control campaign.

From June 1 to June 21, Mumbai recorded:

• 554 cases of malaria
• 71 cases of dengue
• 6 cases of chikungunya
• 24 cases of leptospirosis
• 620 cases of gastroenteritis

Comparatively, during January to May 2024, 1,612 malaria cases were recorded, which rose to 1,973 in the same period in 2025. Dengue cases rose slightly from 338 in 2024 to 347 in 2025 for the same five-month period.

To combat this, BMC conducted:

• Household surveys in 6.39 lakh homes, covering over 30.5 lakh people
• Blood samples from 1,02,243 individuals
• 62,484 suspected leptospirosis cases
• 37 health camps
• 5,108 field site inspections
• Distribution of 21,429 ORS tablets and 11,086 chlorine tablets

Additionally, for malaria control:

• 17,082 buildings were inspected
• Fumigation conducted in 35,911 buildings and 5.58 lakh slum dwellings

Despite these efforts, case numbers continue to rise. Hence, Minister Shelar has instructed all agencies to increase their measures by 25% immediately.

Regarding rat control:

• In the period from June 1 to June 21, 1,741 rats were killed using poison bait, and 2,015 were captured using cages
• 17 NGOs across 17 wards are involved in the campaign, while BMC staff handles cage operations

Minister Shelar has ordered a three-month inquiry into the operations of all involved agencies, and instructed a comprehensive report be submitted to assess efficacy and accountability.