'Delhi govt fully prepared to deal with dengue, chikungunya cases'

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the monsoon season, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the AAP government is fully prepared to deal with dengue and Chikungunya and cases. Kejriwal chaired a meeting of all the departments to review the preparedness to tackle the situation emerging during the monsoons, which is expected to reach Delhi in the first week of July. The meeting was attended by Delhi Cabinet Ministers and representatives of all the concerned departments, a government official said.

"The Chief Minister has directed all the agencies to take strict measures to control these diseases," the official said.

Kejriwal stressed on the importance of prevention and awareness to control the spread of vector borne diseases during the rainy season and immediately after it. The sharp decline in the Dengue and Chikungunya cases in Delhi is a result of the joint efforts of the Delhi government and people of the national capital.

According to the chief minister, there were 15,000 cases of dengue in 2015, but in 2018, it was 2,700. The AAP government will try to bring down this number further this year, he said. At least 13 dengue cases have been reported in Delhi so far this year, according to a municipal report released on June 10.

Delhi government has carried extensive awareness campaigns for the prevention of these diseases by involving the RWAs and school students as awareness ambassadors. Breeding of Aedes mosquitoes in sources of fresh water is the major source for the spread of Dengue and Chikungunya and the Delhi government has laid maximum stress on prevention of these vector borne diseases. "Rainy season is coming. During these days, there are cases of dengue and Chikungunya God may keep your family healthy. Delhi government is completely prepared to deal with it. Today, I reviewed (preparations) in a meeting of all departments..." Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Speaking during the review meeting, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said, "The monitoring of the work of prevention and awareness of the vector borne diseases is very important. Awareness material on the measures to be taken for prevention, dos and don'ts must reach everyone so that every resident is aware of the preventive steps."