With 63 more deaths in and around the western Indian city of Mumbai, the death toll due to leptospirosis and other water-borne diseases brought on by floods has climbed to 233, a local news agency report said on Monday.
A senior health official told the PTI news agency that there are signs of the outbreak abating and doctors expect a decline in the number of cases in the next few days.
Mumbai has accounted for 128 deaths due to the water-borne diseases after heavy monsoon rains lashed the city on July 26. The other deaths were reported from the adjoining Thane district.
Meanwhile, 958 persons were admitted to various hospitals in Mumbai with complaints of fever by early Monday, while the cumulative figure since July 27 was 6 311. Many of the people were discharged after treatment, the agency said.
There was flooding and landslides in Mumbai and adjoining districts of Maharashtra following unprecedented heavy rainfall for a week ending August 2.
Large numbers of people had to wade through water to get essential supplies or reach their destinations. Leptospirosis, also known as mud fever disease, is caused by exposure to water contaminated by rat or animal urine. The bacteria causing the disease usually enters the body through cuts and sores.
Another news agency, IANS, said hospitals reported fewer admissions of new patients on Monday. Many people living in densely populated areas and suburbs of the city were affected by leptospirosis, dengue, malaria and gastric diseases. — Sapa-DPA