The number of chikungunya cases has registered a sharp rise, reaching a staggering 92 from 89 reported on May 15. Meanwhile, six new cases of dengue have also been registered taking the total tally to 38 in the Capital this year, according to a municipal report released on Monday.
The rises in number are seen even after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had recently directed authorities to make a comprehensive plan for combating vector-borne diseases. Though the season of the vector-borne diseases had ended in December, the city continues to report such cases.
As many as 4,431 cases of dengue were reported at the end of 2016, according to the report of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation which tabulates the data on behalf of all municipal corporations in the city.
Out of the 92 chikungunya cases, 19 were recorded last month, while 34 were diagnosed in March. 20 cases were detected in January and 13 in February. Three cases have been registered this month.
Six cases of dengue were reported in January, four in February, 11 in March and as many in April, while six cases have been recorded in May.
On May 13, Kejriwal had chaired a high-level meeting of officers from the three municipal corporations and the Delhi government to discuss plans to eliminate vector-borne diseases in the national capital.
“Delhi will be made mosquito-free. We will have to get rid of mosquito-borne diseases. It will be made a people’s movement. It is only possible with people’s participation,” Kejriwal had tweeted.
Till January 14, only two chikungunya cases were reported, while no dengue case had been diagnosed till then.
Chikungunya and dengue cases in the national capital had tapered off by December first week last year ending the vector-borne disease season in the city that witnessed its worst chikungunya outbreak in the last 10 years, but cases are still being registered, prompting authorities to go for early preparedness.
The municipal authorities had in early March called an all-hands workshop on the prevention and control of vector- borne diseases to finalise a comprehensive action plan for combating the menace in the coming season.
The municipal authorities had in early March called an all-hands workshop on prevention and control of vector-borne diseases to finalise a comprehensive action plan for combating the menace in the coming season.
In the workshop, SDMC Commissioner PK Goel had asked officials to “identify the cases of dengue and chikungunya coming to Delhi from other states”.
The lt Governor on March 23 had held a review meeting with the three municipal commissioners on preparations for combating vector-borne diseases in the city in the wake of cases of vector-borne diseases still being reported.
At least 21 deaths due to dengue were reported last year at various hospitals, including nine at AIIMS, though the official tally of the SDMC stood at 10.
The season for the vector-borne diseases begins from mid-July and generally lasts till November-end.