The national Capital is unlikely to get rid of the deadly dengue before November-end. An early onset of winters, officials said, could only end the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes that lead to the spread of the vector-borne disease.
The temperature hovering round 25-30°C provides atmosphere conducive to mosquito breeding. However, as temperature decreases to around 15°C, the breeding stops.
“Hot and humid weather with temperatures around 25°C has been promoting the dengue virus. Early onset of winters can alone control the mosquito menace,” said Yogendra Singh Mann, Director (Press and Information), North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC). Mann also said that even if the temperature dips during nights, the temperature cycle needs to break and only then will the mosquito
breeding stop.
The Health Department officials said that temperature and humidity during the monsoon creates a perfect environment for mosquito breeding. “Since weather is perfect for breeding of mosquitoes, people become more susceptible to vector-borne ailments such as malaria and dengue. Due to stagnation of rainwater and accumulation of garbage, several localities become potential mosquito breeding grounds,” Health officials said.
According to Municipal health authorities, 35-year-old Gautam Priyanka, a resident of Kishangarh in Delhi, died on Monday due to the vector-borne disease. The other victims, who have succumbed to the virus, as confirmed by authorities, are Phool Singh (47) of West Delhi’s Ashok Nagar, Priyanka Shankar (21) of North Delhi’s Pratap Nagar and Priya Jha (6) of South Delhi’s Okhla.
The number of cases in the Capital has risen from 2,557 on Thursday to 2,916 on Monday. In 2012, a total of 2,093 cases were reported while this year till October 7, 2,916 cases have been confirmed by authorities. Out of 2,916 cases, 2,881 were reported from Delhi, while the rest were from neighbouring areas.