Mumbai has recorded 1,413 malaria cases so far in 2025, while the total for Maharashtra stands at 2,726, according to data released by the state health department on World Malaria Day. Despite the numbers, BMC officials maintain there has been no significant surge.
Dr. Murtaza Bagwala, head of emergency services at Saifee Hospital, noted a shift in malaria’s seasonal trend. “It used to be a monsoon disease, but now we’re seeing cases year-round,” he said. Saifee Hospital reported five cases last month, two requiring hospitalisation. Similar patterns were seen at Hiranandani Hospital in Powai, where residents of high-rises frequently report infections.
Dr. Niraj Tulwala, an infectious disease specialist at Hiranandani, attributed the persistent cases to factors like stagnant water, poor drainage, and sanitation—ideal breeding grounds for the Anopheles mosquito, which spreads malaria. A KEM Hospital doctor confirmed a few recent cases but said they were not alarming. “While some areas have breeding sites, overall patterns remain stable,” the doctor added.
BMC’s Executive Health Officer Dr. Daksha Shah couldn’t provide last year’s comparable data but said there’s been no unusual increase during the summer months. Still, long-term data shows a sharp rise in malaria cases, nearly doubling from 3,985 in 2022 to 7,939 in 2024. The rise is partly due to expanded testing—from 13 lakh people in 2022 to 16 lakh in 2024—and inclusion of private sector reports in official counts. Compared to 2023, 2024 saw an 8% rise in cases.
To combat mosquito breeding ahead of the monsoon, BMC’s insecticide department plans to deploy drones in high-risk zones, expanding beyond the G-South ward. “We are still identifying sites and obtaining permissions,” said Dr. Shah.
The BMC is also developing a mobile app, Bhaag Macchar Bhaag, to educate residents on malaria prevention and control.
