Even before the monsoon, Maharashtra is witnessing a sharp rise in chikungunya cases—from 473 in 2024 to 658 this year—despite a steady decline in malaria and dengue infections. Notably, the state has reported zero deaths from any vector-borne disease in 2025 so far, marking a significant improvement from the same period last year, when four malaria-related fatalities were recorded.
Chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted to human through bite of infected mosquitoes mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, remains a growing concern. “The rise is a red flag. With the monsoon approaching, we must step up surveillance and source reduction,” said a senior official from the vector control unit as reported by Hindutstan Times.
Current Status (as of April 21, 2025):
According to the National Center for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC), the state has recorded;
- Chikungunya: 658 cases (up from 473)
- Malaria: 2,726 cases (down from 2,867)
- Dengue: 1,373 cases (down from 1,639)
- Fatalities: 0 (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, JE)
The state has made substantial progess against malaria, with cases dropping from 56,603 in 2015 to 21,078 in 2024—a 62.7% decline.The Annual Parasite Incidence (API) has dropped from 0.47 in 2015 to 0.1 since 2022. However, Gadchiroli continues to account for over 75% of rural cases, while Greater Mumbai reports nearly 70% of urban malaria cases.
Officials credit the success to multiple interventions: declaring malaria notifiable in 2021, expanding rapid testing, deploying local health workers, and strengthening public-private reporting.
Statewide Vector Control Highlights:
- Operations in 801 villages and 15 cities
- 4.95 lakh insecticide-treated bed nets distributed in 2024 (2.12 lakh in Gadchiroli)
- Use of biological agents like Gambusia fish
- 89 sentinel surveillance sites for real-time outbreak tracking
- Formation of a high-level Communicable Diseases Committee (Aug 2024)
- Special malaria task force for Gadchiroli (Mar 2025)
“Zero deaths is an achievement,” said a senior health department official. “But the virus doesn’t wait. The next 60 days will be the real test.”
In anticipation of seasonal spikes, the state passed a resolution in October 2024 urging intensified chikungunya and dengue control in urban areas.
