50 dengue cases in Delhi, 22 reported in July

At least 50 cases of dengue have been reported in the national capital this season with 22 of these recorded this month, according to a municipal report released today. 11 fresh cases of the vector-borne disease have been reported between July 9-16.

A total of 39 cases were reported till July 9 with May recording six cases and June had witnessed 15, it said. Last year, the city saw a staggering 15,867 dengue cases, the worst in 20 years with the disease claiming 60 lives, as per municipal reports.

This year, dengue cases have been reported rather early and relatively in larger numbers. Last year only six cases were reported in June, while July registered 36.

11 fresh cases have been reported since the last count, and the total number of cases so far in the city is at least 50, a senior civic official said.

No case has been reported from any of the zones under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation while Najafgarh Zone of South Corporation has recorded five cases, and two were posted in West Zone and one in Central Zone, said a senior official of SDMC, which compiles dengue report on behalf of all the civic bodies in the city.

SDMC has reported eight cases overall while East Delhi Municipal Corporation has recorded one. Of the total number of cases this year, nine were reported from areas outside the jurisdiction of the three municipal corporations.

While 10 cases were reported from Uttar Pradesh, one of those diagnosed with the disease came from Haryana, and 21 of them came from other states.

The number of houses where breeding of mosquitoes were found are 10,862 (NDMC), 26,962 (SDMC) and 4,080 (EDMC). And, number of prosecution launched respectively in these areas were 431, 1320 and 165 respectively, the report said.

As part of its preventive measure against the deadly disease, NDMC had last month launched a drive and sought to popularise the use of a specially-made cooler and the plant Agave Americana.

Also, the Union Health Ministry last month had decided that dengue patients hailing from towns in the National Capital Region seeking treatment in Delhi hospitals will be registered separately this year so that they are not clubbed with local patients.

In 1996, a severe outbreak of dengue had occurred in Delhi wherein about 10,252 cases and 423 deaths were reported. In 2010, besides over 6,200 cases, only eight deaths were officially reported.

The Commonwealth Games were held that year and massive construction works in the city was a major reason behind the spread of the disease.