Delhi: 75 malaria, 43 dengue cases reported this season
At least 29 cases of malaria have been reported in the first three weeks of July in Delhi, taking the total number of people affected by the vector-borne disease in Delhi this season to 75, according to a South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) report. At least 18 cases of chikungunya have also been reported this month, taking its toll this season to 34.
July so far has witnessed highest malaria cases this year
The report said that two cases of malaria were reported in February, one each in April and March, 17 in May, 25 in June, and 29 till July 21. Of the total 43 dengue cases this season, 13 were reported in July, six in January, three in February, one in March, two in April, 10 in May, and eight in June.
Not unusual for malaria-cases to be more than dengue: Doctor
"Both dengue and malaria have different carriers. Therefore, it is not unusual for malaria cases to be reported in larger number compared to dengue," a senior doctor at a government-run hospital said.
Doctor advises wearing full-sleeve clothes, use of mosquito nets
The doctor advised that people must take all precautions, like wearing full-sleeve clothes and not allowing the breeding of mosquito larvae inside homes. "Water coolers should be dried up when not in use. Mosquito nets should be used at home," the doctor said. Cases of vector-borne diseases are usually reported between July and November, but the period may stretch to mid-December.
Over 69,000 households breeding mosquitoes in Delhi
The report said domestic breeding checkers have found mosquito-breeding in 69,057 households in Delhi till July 21. It said 67,527 legal notices have been served for various violations and 7,257 prosecutions have been initiated.
Baijal had directed to intensify control measures
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. 10 people died due to dengue in Delhi last year of whom five were not residents of Delhi.
Over 9,000 affected due to vector-borne diseases last year
Overall, the vector-borne disease had affected 9,271 people in Delhi last year. The official toll till December 26 last year stood at four, even though some hospitals reported a few more deaths due to dengue. The mosquito-borne tropical disease had claimed its first victim in the city last year on August 1 when a 12-year-old boy died of dengue shock syndrome.
