PUNE: People staying in the urban areas of Maharashtra are more susceptible to malarial infection.This was revealed in the latest data of the state health department, which stated that Maharashtra reported 3,567 malaria cases between January 1 and July 7 this year. Of these, 2,318 cases were reported from the urban areas, while 1,149 were reported from the rural interiors, including tribal districts like Gadchiroli, Raigad, Gondia and Thane, which accounted for most cases even this year.“Growth in construction activities has created a conducive set up for mosquito breeding in the city areas. The cases are mainly clustered in cities like Greater Mumbai, Thane, Vasai-Virar, Bhiwandi, Mira Bhayandar and Navi Mumbai,” Ramesh Nigade, assistant director (vector-borne diseases), state health department, told TOI.Moreover, construction workers living in makeshift sheds near worksites are more susceptible to mosquito bites, which are the disease-carrying vectors, he added.Malaria shows very clear seasonal variation in any given year. The incidence increases during and following the monsoon rains. “Climactic conditions, rapid urbanization and large-scale construction activities provide conducive environment for the propagation of disease-causing mosquitoes. However, the cases have considerably gone down over the years following effective surveillance,” said entomologist Mukund Deshpande of the state health department.In rural parts, Gadchiroli district has reported maximum malaria cases, including a death. “The district is endemic to malaria and some of its interior parts are unapproachable. Besides, officials are scared to conduct regular surveillance activities in their respective assigned areas due to Naxalite activities,” a state health official said.Experts said the number of cases may be more as underreporting is also rampant in the state.“The number of malaria, dengue and chikungunya cases reported by the state health department is just the tip of the iceberg. A majority of the cases remain underreported,” health activist Sanjay Dabhade said.

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