Dengue cases see sharp rise in Capital, reaches five-year high

A data, jointly released by the three Municipal Corporations, has revealed that till August 14, a total of 277 cases <g data-gr-id="39">have</g> been reported in various hospitals with two deaths caused by the vector-borne disease. 

The second death has been reported from Narela Zone of the North MCD where a 37-year-old woman died in a hospital. The report also states that the month of July saw 11 cases of dengue being reported while 108 cases were recorded in the first week of August. According to the report released on Monday, this year the city has seen nearly 277 cases of the vector-borne disease being reported. 

The number of cases reported in the second week of August also shows a steep rise. A <g data-gr-id="24">whooping</g> rise of 150 per cent of reported cases from the first week comes to light after the civic bodies released the report. For the same period in 2010, over 297 cases were reported. The number of cases from January 1 to August 14 for the last four years stand at–26 (2014), 54 (2013), 10 (2012), 46 (2011). 

Out of the total number of cases, North MCD has reported as many as 118 cases while South MCD has reported 82 cases. A total of 19 cases <g data-gr-id="32">have</g> been reported from the EDMC areas. Around 43 cases were reported from areas outside the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporations, five from UP, one from Haryana and nine from other states. Last year, the city had reported three deaths and recorded as many as 995 cases.

Noticing the sudden spurt in cases of dengue, commissioners of all the three Corporations have advised the health officials to keep a strict vigil on public areas. 

The civic bodies have also beefed up the staff. “More than 200 employees from each Corporation have been added to the field, who would be <g data-gr-id="35">responsible </g><g data-gr-id="36"><g data-gr-id="35">to keep</g> a check on dengue mosquito breeding</g>,” informed a Corporation official.

Around 100 mosquito breeding points have been identified and fined by the Corporations which include several public and private institutions.