Dengue cases in Delhi on the decline, but not chikungunya

Chikungunya is yet to subside in the city despite the onset of winters though dengue cases are on the decline.

As against 70 cases of chikungunya reported in 2010, 100 people have tested positive for chikungunya fever this year.

"Last year we had 70 cases of chikungunya. But this year it is 100. We are taking all precautionary steps to prevent mosquito breeding and we have advised people to keep their surroundings clean," MCD's Public Health Committee chairman V K Monga said.

Meanwhile, seven people have tested positive for dengue in the capital since yesterday, taking the total number of those afflicted by the mosquito-borne disease this year to 1,097.

"The average number of dengue cases reported per day, however, is declining. Earlier, 20 and above dengue cases were being reported in a span of just 24 hours, now it is less," he said.

According to Union Health Ministry figures, over 10,000 dengue cases have been detected in the country this year.

Japanese Encephalitis, common in the neighbouring states, surfaced for the first time in the city after four people tested positive in October.

Delhi government had ordered for screening of pigs to detect the presence of JE virus, as these animals are the amplifying hosts for the disease.

"Eighty-one blood samples have been collected from pigs in the affected areas and sent to the National Research Centre for Equines at Hisar in Haryana for tests. The results are awaited," Monga said.