59 cases of Dengue reported this year: Municipal Commissioner

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) As many as 59 cases of Dengue have been reported so far in Delhi this year, Municipal commissioner K S Mehra said today.

Addressing reporters after a review meeting held with senior officers this morning to assess measures to check spread of Dengue in the city, Mr Mehra said Dengue cases were increasing day-by-day.

On this occasion, he announced that MCD will launch special sanitation-cum-cleanliness drive from Monday and it will continue till September 8.

The special drive is aimed at reducing mosquito breeding sites.

The Commissioner directed that various departments of MCD viz.

Department of Environment Management Services, Health, Engineering and Horticulture shall intensify the sanitation activities and shall undertake special initiatives to achieve better sanitation and healthier environment.

On the reasons for increases in number of Dengue cases, Mr Mehra said,''since the Dengue and Vector mosquito breeds in artificial collection of clean water like, coolers, uncovered overhead tanks, old tyres or any other article holding water, a special appeal has also been made by Commissioner MCD to all Administrative Heads of All Government /Autonomous Offices, Educational Institutions/ Commercial concerns and Market Associations of Delhi for taking necessary Preventive measures regularly in their offices and Residential Complexes.

Unfortunately the appeal of the department has not been perceived by the community members in the right spirit as has been evident by High Mosquito Breeding indices reported from different organizations and residential complexes. Any Breeding Indices above 10 per cent is critical and can lead to outbreak of large number of cases. Cross Checking teams of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme and MCD have recently reported High breeding Indices from various areas.'' Mr Mehra informed that in its efforts to improve sanitation and greenery in the city as well as to bring in greater sense of discipline among the concerned employees, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has put the names and beat areas of Safai Karamcharies and Malies on MCD's website www.mcdonline.gov.in. In case of dereliction of duty on the part of these employees, citizens have been requested to file their complaints at Central Control Room at Phone No. 1266 on Zonal Control Room. They can also lodge their complaints with Zonal Deputy Commissioners or Departmental Heads.

UNI AR SP RAI2002