In the wake of a sudden increase in cases of swine flu and other illnesses, the Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC) has again urged all its hospitals to send swab samples of patients having influenza-like illnesses (ILI) for RT-PCR, genome sequencing and swine flu testing.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Sanjeev Kumar said instructions have been given to all the hospitals and dispensaries to look out for ILI and SARI patients.
He said that health officers in wards have been told to watch for ILI and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) patients.
Authorities have come across many patients exhibiting these symptoms. Most are testing positive for influenza, an official said.
He said there has been a surge in viral and monsoon-ailments and most symptoms are similar to Covid or swine flu.
The doctors are witnessing over 20 cases of ILI daily.