Dengue cases in Delhi cross 200; rise of over 42 pc in 1 week

There has been an increase of over 42 per cent in dengue cases in the national capital in the past one week, taking the total number of cases reported this season to over 200.
A total of 225 cases has been reported in Delhi till October 18, while the figure stood at 158 till October 11, according to a report released by South Delhi Municipal Corporation yesterday.
While figures for various corporations in Delhi are -- 44 (north corporation), 90 (south corporation) and 37 (east corporation), 34 cases were reported from regions in Delhi outside the jurisdiction of the three municipal corporations and 20 from neighbouring states, the report said.

The vector-borne disease had claimed the life of Rishi Qaddafi, an eight-year-old boy hailing from Srinagar who resided in south Delhi. He died of dengue at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Over 5,500 dengue cases and six deaths were registered in the national capital last year, according to SDMC, which compiles report for vector-borne diseases in the city.
The current month so far has seen the highest number of cases of dengue this season, with 105 cases reported till October 18.

According to a recent report released by North Delhi Municipal Corporation, dengue mosquitoes have been found breeding at various institutions this year, including six cases reported at Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital and three at the headquarters of North Delhi Municipal Corporation itself.

DDA, Delhi Technical University and DTC depot are among several institutions in the national capital which have been penalised for failing to check breeding of dengue mosquitoes on their premises.
Delhi had witnessed a large number of dengue cases in 2010, with over 6,200 cases. In 2009, 1,153 cases were registered, over 1,300 cases in 2008, 1,131 cases in 2011 and 2,093 cases in 2012.
The decline in the number of cases this year has been attributed to delayed rains and preventive drive undertaken by the civic bodies much before the onset of monsoon.
Civic bodies are continuing with preventive measures like fumigation, checking of breeding areas and awareness campaigns to control dengue menace.

According to the report, 1,53,919 households were found positive for mosquito breeding, while legal notices were served to over 1,07,972 for mosquitogenic conditions. 12,477 prosecutions were also launched during the same period.
Meanwhile, 60 cases of malaria have also been recorded in the city till October 18.