Malaria and Chikungunya show a downward trend but dengue on rise

At least 288 fresh cases of dengue were reported by various Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD) in the Capital, last week till September 23, taking the total count of people affected by the disease to 3,109. The number includes 1,465 Delhi residents and 1,644 people from neighbouring states.

Besides, the total number of cases of malaria and chikungunya reported till September 23 were 47 and 32, respectively.

While the number of chikungunya cases has been relatively less this year — 315 compared to last year's 2,522 — malaria has been showing a slight increase.

Last year, 335 cases of malaria were reported by September 23, whereas it has already touched 457 this year. Similarly, 1,692 dengue cases were reported by this time last year, while this year's figure is 1,465.

"This year has been a little better than the last year, in terms of the number of cases of vector-borne diseases," said Dr SP Byotra, Head of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

"While we still see 8-10 cases of these diseases in a week, the number of critical cases requiring admission or platelet transfusion or showing signs of shock are few," he added.

The next few days will give a clearer picture regarding the vector-borne diseases as the city recently witnessed late rainfall.

Number talk

While the number of chikungunya cases has been relatively less this year — 315 compared to last year’s 2,522 — malaria has been showing a slight increase
Last year, 335 cases of malaria were reported by Sept 23, whereas it has already touched 457 this year