The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has reported a decline in insect-borne diseases, including dengue, chikungunya and malaria, during the first half of 2025. According to health officials, this success can be attributed to an aggressive, city-wide pest control campaign.

According to the data provided by PMC, chikungunya cases dropped from 382 in 2024 to just two in the first six months of 2025, dengue cases came down from 483 to just two cases, and malaria cases fell from four to zero, reflecting the decline in cases. However, the private health practitioners claim that there is an increase in various monsoon-related health issues.

Speaking to The Free Press Journal, a PMC official said, “The success of reduced cases of vector-borne diseases goes to the initiatives by PMC’s Health Department, including mosquito breeding site management. Over 33,000 permanent and 37,000 temporary breeding sites were identified and treated with insecticides. To combat mosquito larvae naturally, 181 guppy fish breeding centres were established, and guppy fish were released at 2,518 locations across the city. During a city-wide container survey, 814 citizens/establishments were fined a total of ₹96,300 for maintaining mosquito-breeding grounds. The breeding sites were subsequently destroyed.”

Dr Anand Kalaskar, General Medicine, Apollo Clinic, Nigdi, said, “Since the past few days, we have noticed more than 50-60 patients visiting the clinic for issues such as cold, infection, cough, viral fever and serious illness such as typhoid, dengue, gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and stomach infection. This is a 20% jump in the number of cases reported around this time as compared to the previous year. Due to this change in the weather and rains are leading to a rise in several waterborne-related infections, they fulfil a crucial function in such issues.”

“We advise our patients to take precautions such as using mosquito repellents, drinking purified water and maintaining good hygiene to avoid waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases. Some key elements to minimise the health risks during monsoon season are staying hydrated and active, and consuming home-cooked food that includes vitamin C, probiotics and antioxidants,” added Kalaskar.

MJ Pradeep Chandran, Additional Commissioner, PMC, said they gave special attention to high-risk zones. "We regularly coordinated with the Maharashtra Dam Department, the Central Government’s Irrigation Board and the PMC's Environment Department to help mitigate waterlogging, a key mosquito breeding source. Anti-larval spraying was conducted consistently in vulnerable zones. Areas affected by outbreaks over the past three years were mapped and a micro-level spraying plan was developed. Special attention was given to high-risk zones, especially ahead of the monsoon season," he said.