NEW DELHI: The city has recorded a significant rise in the cases of dengue and other vector-borne diseases, reported to be highest since 2020.
Delhi has seen a significant rise in cases of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. As of July 6, the city recorded over 256 dengue cases, nearly double the 136 cases reported during the same period in 2023 and the highest since 2020, according to the report. In previous years, the number of dengue cases recorded was 153 in 2022, 38 in 2021, and 22 in 2020. No deaths due to the vector-borne disease have been reported so far this year. However, last year, there were 19 dengue-related deaths, the second-highest since 2020.
A senior MCD officer stated, “The increase in the number of cases this year is due to more testing centres now collecting samples and reporting dengue cases to the civic body. Last year, there were about 36 testing centres, but this number has risen to 900, making the numbers appear inflated.”
He further said that the civic body is implementing various measures to curb breeding at the source. The MCD conducted over 1.8 crore house visits to check for domestic mosquito breeding, discovering breeding in over 43,000 houses. It has issued nearly 40,000 legal notices and challans for the same.
Dr Prashant Sinha, Head of Emergency at PSRI Hospital, said that the peak season for dengue in Delhi is yet to arrive. He emphasised that the situation will require urgent attention as the monsoon progresses, creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding to increase significantly. Dr Sinha stressed the importance of public vigilance and seeking immediate medical attention if experiencing any symptoms related to dengue. He advised patients to stay hydrated and seek immediate medical care if their platelet count drops rapidly below 50,000 or if they experience severe symptoms such as bleeding from the nose or mouth or low blood pressure.
As precautionary measures, he recommended using mosquito nets while sleeping, applying mosquito-repellent creams, avoiding stagnant water in the surroundings, and wearing body-covering clothes. He strongly advised against self-medication, particularly the use of aspirin or Brufen, as they can reduce platelet count.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj reviewed the preparedness of hospitals in light of the rising vector-borne diseases. Officials and heads of medical institutions provided detailed information on the availability of medicines, the arrangement for beds, and other preparations. Bhardwaj instructed the concerned departments and officials to intensify fogging and cleaning campaigns in dengue-prone areas. He directed officials to immediately inform the Municipal Corporation of Delhi if mosquito breeding is detected around hospitals. Additionally, he mandated that all hospitals ensure a sufficient supply of mosquito nets for patients and maintain an adequate stock of medicines.
Meanwhile, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Devender Yadav expressed grave concern over the record 256 dengue cases reported in the capital as of July 6, 2024, the highest number since 2019. He urged the Delhi Government and the MCD to take immediate action to control dengue and prevent the situation from escalating and endangering lives.
Similarly, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor criticised the MCD’s handling of the dengue situation in 2023, stating that the failure was so severe that it stopped issuing data on dengue cases and deaths. He warned that if the MCD does not resume releasing dengue data, it would indicate another failure in its responsibility to control the spread of dengue. Kapoor also criticised the Delhi government for failing to address waterlogging and mosquito breeding in open areas, leading to an abnormal increase in dengue cases.
In 2023, Delhi reported 9,266 dengue cases and 19 deaths, marking the third-worst outbreak of the viral infection in the city, according to MCD’s annual data. However, the severity of the outbreak was obscured because civic bodies withheld weekly data. The MCD stopped issuing weekly reports last year ahead of the G20 summit, and this practice has not been resumed.