Over 50 dengue cases in Delhi; 13 cases in last week

New Delhi, Aug 3: At least 53 cases of dengue have been reported till end of July this year, the highest number for the period in the last five years, according to a municipal report on the vector-borne disease released today.

Of these, 36 cases were reported in July only. Till July 25, 40 cases had been reported for the year.

The number of cases from January 1 to July 31 for the last four years are – 22 (2014), 19 (2013), 10 (2012), 25 (2011). For the same period in 2010, over 70 cases were reported.

In Delhi, out of the total 53 cases, the maximum, 20, were reported from north Delhi while east Delhi recorded the lowest number with 10 cases. 15 cases were recorded in south Delhi during the period, the report by South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) said.

Three cases were reported from areas outside the jurisdiction of the municipal corporations in the city while a case each was reported from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and three from other states.

"While dengue cases are being reported, its number this year is expected to be lower this year by the end of the season, as we have taken all precautionary measures to ward off the vector-borne disease.

"Besides, between rains, one dry spell with sunny weather reduces breeding. So, further number of cases will depend on how the weather plays out from here on," a senior NDMC official said.

All three corporations – North, South and East – have their own anti-dengue drive to create awareness and penalise people and institutions if water stagnation is found in coolers and other areas. Besides, a dengue month is also marked by the civic bodies to intensify the awareness drive.

EDMC Commissioner Amit Yadav today said that an analysis of dengue cases notified in previous years reveal that about 65 per cent dengue cases were reported in the age group from 15-45 years.

In 2014, the city had reported three deaths and recorded nearly 1,000 cases. In 2013, over 5,500 cases were reported, while six people had died due to the disease.

The capital had witnessed a large number of dengue cases in 2010 with over 6,000 cases reported in the city. In 2008, over 1,300 cases were registered, 1,153 in 2009, over 1,100 cases in 2011 and 2,093 in 2012. The SDMC compiles the dengue and malaria report on behalf of all civic bodies in the city.

PTI