The number of swine flu cases registered in Mumbai in the first 11 months of 2019 has sent alarm bells ringing in the public health department of Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC). 448 cases have been registered during the period as opposed to 25 in the entire 2018. Of the 448, five have been fatal cases.

BMC launched a vaccination drive at public hospitals throughout the year to prevent the spread of the virus. 30,000 people including pregnant women, elderly and those suffering from diabetes and hypertension were vaccinated in this drive.

To contain this highly contagious infection, BMC took preventive steps like increased surveillance, and appointing additional volunteers who undertook door-to-door inspections to identify vulnerable people and patients. Health experts have pointed out that due to excessive rains in 2019, favourable conditions were created for the H1N1 virus which are known to spread the disease.