Delhi: 54 malaria and 33 dengue cases reported this season
At least eight fresh cases of malaria have been reported in the first-week of July in Delhi, taking the total number of people affected by the vector-borne disease in the national capital this season to 54, according to a municipal report released today. Of the total 33 dengue cases this season, three fresh cases were reported in Delhi in the first-week of July.
Highest number of malaria cases reported in June
Of the 54 malaria cases, eight were reported this month, 25 in June, 17 in May, one each in April and March, and two in February. Of the total 33 dengue cases, three were reported in July, six in January, three in February, one in March, two in April, 10 in May, and eight in June in the national capital.
Doctors advise to take precautions
Three fresh cases of chikungunya have been reported in the first week of July, taking its total this season to 16. "It is not unusual for malaria cases to be reported in larger number than dengue as both have a different carrier," a senior doctor at a government-run hospital said. She warned people must take all precautions such as using mosquito nets at home.
47,213 households breeding mosquitoes in Delhi
The report said domestic breeding checkers have found mosquito-breeding in 47,213 households in Delhi till July 7. It said 53,137 legal notices have been served for various violations and 3,970 prosecutions have been initiated.
5 outsiders died of dengue last year in Delhi
According to South Delhi Municipal Corporation, 10 people died due to dengue in Delhi last year of whom five were not Delhi residents. Overall, the vector-borne disease has affected 9,271 people in the city last year. The official toll maintained by Delhi municipal authorities till December 26 last year stood at four, even though some hospitals reported a few more deaths due to dengue.
Baijal directed local bodies to intensify disease control in Delhi
Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal on June 28 had directed local bodies and other agencies 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.
