With 472 new cases reported in the last week, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) reported a sharp increase in dengue infections in the city, increasing the overall number of dengue illnesses for the year (January 1–November 9) to 4,533. In addition to the increasing number of cases, the sickness has been linked to three deaths in 2024, none of which have happened in the last week.
The city has been taking aggressive measures to address the mosquito breeding grounds that contribute to dengue’s spread. Over 156,000 families have received legal notices for failing to maintain conditions that prevent mosquito multiplication, and 274,290 residences were deemed to have mosquito breeding sites, according to MCD’s action report. These circumstances include standing water in containers, which provides an ideal habitat for the dengue-transmitting Aedes mosquitoes.
With 675 infections, the Najafgarh zone saw the most dengue cases over the previous week, followed by the South zone (628 cases) and the Central zone (490 cases). With 202 infections, the Narela zone had the fewest instances. To put this into perspective, while the numbers are greater than in 2022 and 2021, the number of cases in 2024 thus far is less than the 5,644 instances reported during the same period last year.
With 9,266 cases and 19 fatalities, Delhi experienced its third-worst dengue outbreak last year. 2015 saw the worst outbreak, with 15,867 cases and 60 fatalities. The form of dengue that is spreading this year is said to be milder, with the majority of cases presenting as less severe, despite the continuous rise in cases.
The MCD report also showed an increase in chikungunya and malaria cases in addition to dengue. Chikungunya infections have grown from 151 to 172, while malaria cases have jumped to 728 from 709 the week before. As mosquito migration indoors decreases due to lower temperatures, public health experts are warning residents to exercise caution. Since mosquitoes are most active around nightfall, they advise keeping doors and windows closed.
By focusing on mosquito breeding grounds and encouraging locals to adopt preventive measures, MCD is continuing to work to stop the development of vector-borne illnesses.
SOURCE :
HINDUSTAN TIMES
