Dengue cases rise rapidly in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Nineteen fresh cases of dengue were reported in the city on Tuesday, taking the number of infected people to 274 this season.
    
The rise in the number of dengue cases continued even as a strike by mosquito breeding checkers (DBC) employed with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi entered 10th day with no sign of resolution in sight.
    
"Nineteen more patients tested positive for the virus today, taking the number of dengue-afflicted persons to 274," MCD Public Health Committee Chairman V K Monga said.
    
With September and October normally considered as peak months for the spread of dengue, the number of cases are only expected to rise, civic bodies admit.
    
"At least in the month of September, cases are expected to increase steadily. The high number of cases are on expected lines as the hot and unusually humid weather are contributing to the breeding of mosquitoes," Monga said.
    
However, officials insist that there is no reason to panic as the outbreak is well within control and the disease will not take epidemic proportions.
    
Compounding the problems of the civic body, about 2,500 DBC staff, who are on strike demanding regularisation of their jobs, on Tuesday threatened to go on a relay fast from tomorrow.
    
MCD officials maintain that regularisation is not legally possible. "We are continuing negotiations, but if nothing comes out in two-three days, we may have go for harsh steps," Monga said.
    
A new batch of 450 DBCs is being brought on the field to keep the work of breeding checking going on, he said.