Mumbai warns of malaria threat

Officials in Mumbai have warned that there may be more cases of malaria in the city than ever this year.

A new report from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) found that the number of malaria cases have increased considerably this year.

In addition, with the monsoon season expected, health authorities are calling upon people to take extra precautions against contracting the disease.

This year, there have been 6,192 cases of malaria reported, compared to 5,272 confirmed cases this time last year.

In addition, there are 134 areas of Mumbai that have been named as high risk locations for malaria.

BMC executive health officer Jairaj Thanekar said: "It is true that people returning from their native places like Chattisgarh, Uttaranchal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh have been infected and are spreading malaria."

"Construction sites also continue to be a major problem," he added, noting that they provide excellent breeding spots for mosquitoes.

Around 14 million people currently live in Mumbai.

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