Delhi’s tryst with dengue begins, 7 cases reported

As Delhi gears up for the scorching summer, dengue has already started to raise its head in the national Capital. As per MCD records, at least seven cases have been reported by April 9 out of which four were reported in the week ending on last Saturday. 

According to the Municipal Corporation data, one case has been registered from South MCD while six others have been registered from the NCR. 

“Two dengue cases have been reported in March and five have been reported in April. Out of the total positive cases, six patients are from other states but were diagnosed in Delhi’s hospitals,” said Y S Maan, Director (P&I) of North and East MCDs.

Officials of the health department of the three MCDs have said that they are taking all measures to control dengue outbreak during this monsoon season but reports coming across the city are disappointing and the agencies will now have to take more concrete measures to avoid a situation like the previous year. 

“Last year, dengue had hit the Capital very badly and the civic bodies were criticised for failing to control the disease on time. Following the slamming, we have started anti-larval spray to stop mosquito breeding. The Corporation, in order to stop breeding and to kill adult mosquitoes, have started fogging/fumigation from now itself,” said a senior health official from North MCD. 

Notably, the city had witnessed its worst outbreak last year with at least 16,000 positive cases of the vector-borne disease and more than 45 deaths. 

The Corporations, in order to control the massive outbreak, have informed to launch massive Intensive Dengue Prevention Drive in its all 264 wards especially on weekends, so that besides anti-larvae and fumigation of the area, citizens can also be sensitised about its prevention. The drive comprises  teams of Malaria Department for multi-throng activity like anti-larvae, fumigation through hand-handled machines, vehicles mounted fogging machine, power sprays for stagnant water in large quantities, domestic breeding checkers for door to door checking and one to one education about the preventive measures. 

Besides this, mobile public address system is also being used to educate and create awareness for taking preventive measures by each and everyone to check the spread of the deadly disease.