Vector-borne disease cases in Pune have dropped by nearly 60% from January to July 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Focused measures like fogging, guppy fish in water bodies, awareness drives, and collaboration with private hospitals contributed to the reduction.
PMC's proactive planning and consistent monitoring at key locations played a major role in controlling dengue, chikungunya, and malaria spread.
Pune, 4th August 2025: The number of vector-borne disease cases in Pune has seen a significant drop of around 60–65% from January to July this year, thanks to proactive and targeted efforts by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and malaria, which usually spike during the monsoon, have been kept largely in check.
According to PMC's insect control department, the decline is a result of coordinated efforts including meetings with private hospitals, detailed surveys in last year’s hotspot areas, fogging operations, use of insecticides, releasing guppy fish in stagnant water bodies, and awareness campaigns in schools and colleges.
Data shows that from January to July 2024, there were 636 suspected dengue cases and 34 confirmed ones. This year, those numbers have dropped to 233 and 11, respectively. Chikungunya cases declined from 24 to just 2. Malaria, however, saw a slight rise with 2 cases this year compared to 1 last year.
The civic body has been testing all fever patients for malaria by collecting blood samples at all PMC-run hospitals. Some diagnostic tests are also being provided free of cost. Surveillance and treatment efforts are being strengthened in areas where cases were previously reported.
Among the measures taken, extra attention was paid to locations that reported suspected dengue cases last year. Private hospitals were instructed to share timely data. Guppy fish were released into large water storage tanks and mosquito-control liquids were used. Awareness drives were conducted across 15 ward offices, bus depots, schools, and colleges. Fogging was also carried out using mobile vehicles in suspected patient areas.
Currently, 265 contract workers are deployed to conduct fogging and spraying of anti-larval chemicals across critical areas of the city. Community health workers have also been trained to collect samples from fever patients to identify potential malaria cases early. A proposal has been submitted to the municipal commissioner to conduct public awareness campaigns at major bus stations.
Dr. Rajesh Dighe, head of PMC’s insect control department, said the fall in cases is a result of meticulous planning and implementation. He added that combined efforts by the civic body and healthcare stakeholders have helped curb the spread of vector-borne diseases in the city.
