NEW DELHI: As of early September, the national capital has recorded 673 dengue cases and two fatalities.
Delhi has witnessed a sharp rise in vector-borne diseases, particularly dengue, as a result of the unusually heavy and prolonged monsoon rains this year. Consequently, dengue cases in the city have surpassed the 670 mark, raising serious public health concerns. By early September, two dengue-related deaths had been reported, which indicates the severity of the outbreak.
According to data from the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), as of September 7, the national capital has recorded 673 dengue cases and two fatalities. A civic body source indicated that cases could increase due to the ongoing heavy rainfall in Delhi. The highest number of cases was reported in August, with the Najafgarh zone leading with 105 cases, followed by the Shahdara North zone, which recorded nearly 90 cases.
So far, two dengue-related deaths have been reported, one involving a 54-year-old patient at Lok Nayak Hospital and another at Safdarjung Hospital. In addition to dengue, the city has also seen a rise in other vector-borne diseases, including malaria and chikungunya. As per IHIP data, by September 7, there were 262 malaria cases and 32 chikungunya cases reported.
An official from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said, that it is taking proactive steps to protect people from vector-borne diseases. The civic body has intensified its efforts to prevent and control the spread of these diseases across the capital. Fogging and spray operations will continue during public gatherings and religious events to target mosquito populations, with outdoor fogging ramped up based on mosquito density and disease risk. Anti-larval measures will be strengthened on public land, and legal notices, fines, and administrative charges will be imposed on repeat offenders.
Officials stated that MCD’s Public Health Department has implemented a multipronged strategy to combat vector-borne diseases. Over 2.59 crore households have been inspected, with 1,56,932 mosquito breeding sites found and destroyed. More than 4.20 lakh houses have been sprayed with insecticides, and weekly spraying of drains and water bodies is conducted. Biological control measures have also been adopted, including the introduction of larvivorous fish at 213 locations. MCD has conducted 23 special drives targeting high-risk areas like police stations, construction sites, hospitals, and schools, along with special fogging at temples and tourist spots. Legal actions under the DMC Act include issuing 97,397 notices, 32,384 challans, and 7,929 administrative charges. Repeat offenders allowing mosquito breeding may face police complaints.
However, former mayor and Leader of Opposition in the MCD, Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh, criticised the Kejriwal-led Delhi government and MCD for the rise in dengue cases. Singh condemned MCD’s management of the situation in 2023, pointing out that its failure was so significant that it stopped releasing data on dengue cases and deaths. He cautioned that if MCD does not resume providing updates, it would mark another failure in fulfilling its duty to control the spread of dengue. Singh also criticised the Delhi government for not adequately addressing issues like waterlogging and mosquito breeding in open areas, which has contributed to the abnormal increase in dengue cases.
Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj acknowledged the rise in dengue and other vector-borne diseases due to continuous rainfall. He held a meeting with several departments, including MCD, health, revenue, and education, to discuss potential outbreaks. Last week, Bharadwaj visited government hospitals to assess their preparedness. He instructed departments to intensify fogging and cleaning efforts in dengue-prone areas and directed officials to inform the MCD immediately if mosquito breeding is found near hospitals. Additionally, he emphasised that hospitals must maintain a sufficient supply of mosquito nets and ensure an adequate stock of medicines for patients.
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. MCD stopped issuing weekly reports last year, ahead of the G20 summit.