With the monsoon setting in, the Capital faces the outbreak of vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria and also water-borne diseases like typhoid and jaundice.
Seven cases of dengue, including one case in the area of New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), have been reported, while 19 have been diagnosed with malaria till June 8. last year, only two cases of dengue were reported during the corresponding period, though 51 had contracted malaria.
This year, four dengue cases have been reported from areas under South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), two from North Delhi Corporation area and one in the posh New Delhi area. East Delhi areas are free as of yet.
According to municipal officials, high humidity coupled with warm temperature provide environment conducive for breeding of mosquitoes, the vector for the disease. However, civic bodies claimed they have already begun checking domestic breeding and penalising owners of houses where it has been detected.
"A total of 22,318 houses have been visited by the domestic breeding checkers so far. Over 29,000 legal notices have been issued. Prosecution has been launched against 1,036 households," said Yogendra Singh Mann, director of press and information in North and East Delhi Corporations. He said DBC workers are constantly using anti-larva sprays.
According to reports, there were three dengue cases in April this year. However, no case was reported in May, when temperature was persistently above the 40-degree mark.