Chikungunya: 1.2 lakh Delhi houses have mosquitoes breeding in their backyard

Over 1.2 lakh houses inspected by municipal workers across the city this season were found to have mosquitoes breeding on their premises.

Concerned over the spread of dengue and chikungunya in Delhi? Blame yourself. Residents of over 1.2 lakh houses inspected by municipal workers across the city this season were found to have done little to prevent mosquitoes from breeding around them.

A rickshaw-puller sleeps under a mosquito net to protect against chikungunya outbreak in Delhi. Seven people have died of the infection so far this year. (Arun Sharma/ HT Photo)

A report prepared jointly by South Delhi Municipal Corporation, East Delhi Municipal Corporation and North Delhi Municipal Corporation said that the domestic breeding checkers visited 15 lakh houses between January 1 and September 10 this year and every 15th house was found to have water stagnated in Feng Shui plants, petri dishes, vessels under planters, defrost trays of refrigerators, coolers and overhead tanks where mosquitoes were breeding.

Read: Two more die of chikungunya in Delhi, death toll now 7

The corporations have issued a legal notice to 10.5 lakh households, which comes with a warning that strict action will be taken against them if they still allow breeding. Nearly 10,500 other houses face prosecution, which means the owners will either have to pay a fine of Rs 500 or appear before a municipal magistrate and eventually pay up to Rs 3000 as fine.

This summer, seven people have died of chikungunya - a viral fever caused by aedes agypti mospquito - that is known to rarely lead to death. Symptoms like high fever, joint swelling and pain appear four to seven days after being bitten.

South Delhi was found faltering the most as the civic bodies said the highest number of dengue and chikungunya cases - 255 and 202 respectively - were reported from there till September 10.

Civic officials said the number of defaulters may be higher as DBCs could not check many houses as the residents did not allow them in. “This is a disease, which can only be fought if people cooperate with us. Many people do not allow us to enter their houses due to the fear of being challaned or they doubt that a thief might enter their house disguised as municipal worker,” said a senior official of SDMC.

Since prevention of breeding is the best bet against dengue and chikungunya, the corporations are now thinking of collaborating with the local resident welfare associations to create awareness and facilitate inspection by the DBCs.

Read: Chikungunya and Dengue: What you must know about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Also, in a series of inspections carried out by SDMC during this monsoon season, the civic body has challenged more than 16 DMRC sites. Sources in SDMC said challans were issued to metro construction sites near Vishal Cinema, Janakpuri, Vikas Puri and Rajouri Garden.

SDMC Standing Committee Chairman Shailendra Singh Monty said one reason for the highest number of cases getting reported from south Delhi is that there are several construction sites there, including those of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. A senior official of DMRC said the Corporation is extremely serious about issues such as cleanliness and prevention of mosquito breeding on its premises.

“Regular inspections are held and sensitization programmes are organised by us. Recently, we have sent banners with details of precautions against Dengue and Chikungunya to all our sites and offices. Medical experts are also conducting sessions at our offices to sensitize the staff about the issue,” he added.