Fewer dengue cases this year due to preparation, Delhi government tells HC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Wednesday rejected claims that Delhi was facing the “worst dengue crisis”, saying the figures were “less” than last year due to

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Wednesday rejected claims that Delhi was facing the “worst dengue crisis”, saying the figures were “less” than last year due to “preparatory activities”.

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The government told the Delhi High Court that till September 10, four dengue deaths, 1,158 dengue cases and 1,057 chikungunya cases have been reported in the capital.

“Owing to early start of preparatory activities of Delhi government, this core mandate has been effectively discharged,” the government said in an affidavit filed before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal.

The government said of the 1,158 dengue cases, 804 are from Delhi and 354 from outside.

It said 1,057 cases of chikungunya were also reported but no death has been attributed to this disease till September 10 as per the report of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).

During the hearing, petitioner advocate Shahid Ali pointed out that a number of deaths have been reported due to chikungunya.

Delhi government’s senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra said they have done everything based on the experience of last year and released funds to the civic bodies in advance to combat the situation.

The bench, after the hearing, asked the petitioner to come up with suggestions on the steps required to be taken in this regard and fixed the matter for orders on September 20.

“We will consider all the aspects and pass orders. If we are not satisfied, we may again call the government,” the bench said.