Delhi: Dengue cases mount to 650, doctors advise precautions
Dengue cases have spiraled in New Delhi over the past two weeks, with at least 650 people being diagnosed with the vector-borne disease this season, according to a municipal report released today. The report mentions 169 cases in the first week of October. Also, 347 cases of malaria and 89 of chikungunya have been reported this season till October 6, according to the report.
Highest number of dengue cases reported in September this year
Of the 650 dengue cases, maximum were reported in September at 374, followed by 58 in August, 19 in July, 10 in May, so on and so forth. Also, two cases of malaria were reported in February, one each in April and March, 17 in May, 25 in June, 42 in July, 82 in August, 138 in September and 39 till Oct 6.
September also recorded highest number of malaria cases
Cases of vector-borne diseases are usually reported between July-November, but the period may stretch to mid-December. No vector-borne disease case was reported till Jan 13, said an SDMC official. A senior government doctor advised people to take precautions, like wearing full-sleeves and not allowing the breeding of mosquito larvae inside homes. "Water-coolers should be dried up, and mosquito nets should be used," he said.
Mosquitoes are breeding in nearly 2 lakh households in Delhi
The report said domestic breeding checkers found mosquito breeding in 1,92,928 households in New Delhi till October 6. It said 1,58,067 legal notices have been served for various violations and "22,240 prosecutions initiated". 10 people died due to dengue in Delhi last year, of whom five were not residents of Delhi. Overall, the vector-borne disease had affected 9,271 people in New Delhi last year.
Baijal directed local bodies for taking vector-control measures
As a pro-active measure, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal had a few months ago directed local bodies to intensify vector-control measures. He had also asked for regular meetings at the level of district magistrates with all stakeholders to review the situation in their respective districts.
