Mumbai recorded a sharp rise in vector-borne illnesses during the first half of September, with malaria and dengue cases reported in just the first 15 days of the month already reaching more than half of the totals recorded during the entire month of August. Between September 1 and September 15, Mumbai reported 1,499 malaria cases, compared with 2,450 cases in August, and 598 dengue cases, compared with 831 in August. The city also recorded 13 chikungunya cases, compared with 32 in August. During the same period, 22 cases of leptospirosis, 96 cases of gastroenteritis and 47 H1N1 cases were reported, compared with 144, 500 and 336 cases, respectively, during August.

Clinicians have also reported seeing patients with dengue and malaria co-infections. A senior consultant physician said some patients had presented with both infections simultaneously. One patient with falciparum malaria…