At a time when the capital is fighting the worst dengue outbreak, there are two areas that have managed to stave off the deadly disease. The two neglected wards of South Delhi- Sangam Vihar West and Tughlakabad Extension have by far not reported a single case of dengue fever even as the total numbers of cases have soared as high as 5,982 along with 17 deaths. While residential areas have been identified as one of the largest breeding points for aedes mosquito, it is noteworthy that two areas having a sizeable population, haven’t reported any dengue case till now.
According to the Municipal Corporation’s data, as many as 511 fresh dengue cases were reported last week taking the total number of dengue cases to 5,982. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has reported 1,633 cases. Both the wards-Sangam Vihar West and Tughlakabad Extension fall under South Corporation’s Central zone, which has recorded a total number of 171 dengue cases till September 19, the latest data available with the SDMC. Other than this, the adjoining area such as Sangam Vihar ward has recorded six cases and Sangam Vihar East has registered three dengue cases.
Sangam Vihar West area has a population of about of 1.5 to 2 lakh. The area is divided into eight blocks. Kali Charan Sharma, the Councillor of Sangam Vihar West ward credits the success to the MCD employees for carrying out anti-dengue programmes round the clock. “It is one of the most congested areas of the capital. There must be a notion that a huge number of dengue cases would have been reported from here. But we succeeded since we didn’t leave a single block untouched. We carried out fumigation programme in every nook and corner of the area. The employees of malaria department were 24 hours at work. Moreover, the preparation for dengue started a month earlier.”
Sharma also added that, around 15 to 20 employees were deployed daily for fogging and spraying medicines in drains. “Two fogging machines have been given to us by MCD. The fumigation is carried out almost daily. There are open drains, congested houses so there was a need to conduct awareness programmes. With the help of school children we carried out various anti-dengue awareness campaigns which helped us go a long way,” he added.
likewise, Tughlakabad Extension councillor Babli attributed the zero figure to the intensive anti-dengue programmes. “We carried out the fumigation and other programmes with due diligence. I myself monitored the anti-dengue measures on regular basis and the rest is history. This has helped us work better and ensure that people of this area don’t face any problem,” the councillor said.
