Delhi reports seven Chikungunya cases in seven days

New Delhi, July 6 (UNI) As many as seven cases of Chikungunya have been reported in as many days, a senior Health Official said today.

''All the seven patients got infected during their visit to Kerala. The case were reported this week... as the virus is being reported in Southern and Western people travelling to the areas are vulnerable,'' MCD Municipal Health Officer N K Yadav said.

He said patients of Chikungunya, a vector-borne disease, coming to Delhi a are potential threat for its spread the in the national capital.

Dr Yadav said in the absence of a specific medicine against the virus, the only way to prevent Chikungunya and Dengue was to prevent breeding of Aedes mosquitoes by community participation.

In the backdrop of the seven cases being reported and monsoons occurring in Delhi, the MCD has instensified its operations to curb breeding of mosquitoes.

Aedes mosquitoes breed in artificial collection of clean water in domestic and peridomestic sites like desert coolers, uncovered water tanks or containers, collection of rain water in waste or empty containers lying in open or old tyers and bird water pots.

''After the heavy rains Aedes mosquito breeding had been detected from various localities of Delhi. High index of breeding has been detected at several places including Moti Bagh, Kamraj Marg, Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in Kalyan Puri, Geeta Colony Police Station, Sriniwas Puri, Sangam Vihar and Tuglakabad Village,'' Dr Yadav said.

Giving details of preventive measures, Dr Yadav said to create awareness and evolve community participation MCD is organizing public meetings with elected representatives, RWAs, NGOs and residents in all the 272 Wards.

The MCD has deployed about 3,000 domestic breeding checkers for checking breeding and to create awareness.

During such visits, mosquito breeding has been detected at 14,372 places.

As creating mosquitogenic condition or causing mosquito breeding is an offence, legal notices have been issued to 14,998 people and 1,566 persons have so far been challaned.

Dr Yadav appealed to all heads of offices and institutions and residents to take preventive measures and contribute towards prevention of mosquito-borne diseases-- Dengue and Chikungunya in Delhi.

UNI