The death toll from water-borne diseases following heavy rains and flooding in the western Indian city of Bombay rose to 89 Saturday, according to city officials. Unofficial reports put the toll at more than 100. All state-run hospitals in the city were overflowing and private hospitals were offering free services to the poor, reports said, according to DPA. More than 4,000 patients, suspected of having contracted leptospirosis and other water-borne diseases, were admitted to hospitals across Bombay, NDTV television network reported. Lepstospirosis is caused by exposure to water contaminated by animal urine, especially that of rats. Its symptoms include vomiting and fever. It can be treated by antibiotics. Bombay's civic officials said the situation was under control and it could not be called an epidemic. Johnny Joseph, commissioner of Bombay's civic body, said a total of 89 deaths had been recorded till noon Saturday and scores of patients had been discharged. But the city authorities said about 132 patients had been admitted to hospitals with suspected water-borne diseases over the past 24 hours.
