With dengue cases showing a marked rise in the capital, the MCD says the irregular monsoon this year as well as the "lack of co-operation" by the public were reasons for the escalation.
NEW DELHI: With dengue cases showing a marked rise in the capital, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) says the irregular monsoon this year as well as the "lack of co-operation" by the public were reasons for the escalation.
On Wednesday, 19 new cases were reported, taking the number of dengue cases in Delhi to 293 in the monsoon season. Last year, around 60 cases were reported in the season.
"The public has lost sight of civic sense, and is shirking efforts to keep breeding areas like coolers and open tanks clean. The irregular rains have made the situation worse. If the trend continues, dengue cases are bound to escalate in the coming month," MCD's Public Health Committee chairman VK Monga said.
According to MCD officials, this year's dengue figures could be the highest in the past five years.
"The monsoon this year has not stuck to normal pattern. The current humid and low temperatures are conducive for breeding of the dengue virus carrying mosquitoes," Monga added.
He said that though all of Delhi was a potential target, Najafgarh and Rohini in west Delhi are the worst affected.
Another factor that has "slowed down the agency's work" is the strike by its action force.
Of the 3,200 domestic breeding controllers (DBC), who go about enforcing civic vigilance, 2,500 employed on contract basis were on strike Wednesday demanding regularization of their jobs.
Asked what MCD is doing to tackle the situation, Monga averred: "Yesterday itself 720 DBC vacancies were filled from a list of 6,000 applications. They have started their work."
"Also, 34 hospitals across Delhi are treating the affected for free. Below poverty line (BPL) patients are even being given free blood platelets for treatment," he added.
The MCD is responsible for ensuring that people do not keep stagnant water for mosquitoes to breed in.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}