Delhi: Dengue outbreak worsens, 395 cases in 72 hrs

Dengue cases are being reported at epidemic rates in the Capital with a whopping 395 cases reported in just 72 hours.

Dengue cases are being reported at epidemic rates in the Capital with a whopping 395 cases reported in just 72 hours.

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This takes the number of confirmed cases reported in September to 1,962. A drastic jump from just 55 cases reported in the same month in 2012 and 179 in 2011.

If the rapid rate of cases continue, Delhi may be looking at its worst dengue outbreak since 2010 when 6,259 cases (2,360 of which were reported in September) and eight deaths were reported.

Delhi’s three civic bodies have reported 2,124 cases this year (till September 30) with three confirmed and seven suspected deaths.

"If it rains in October, then dengue cases are likely to rise," said Dr GP Rao, secretary of Indian Virological Society.

Rapid and unplanned urbanisation is being blamed by experts for the increase in dengue cases.

“Densely populated habitats rely heavily on potable water reservoirs, which are potential mosquito breeding places,” said Rao.

A special sanitation drive will be launched in Delhi from October 2 and efforts are on to create awarness for dengue control. “Rickshaw announcements, newspapers, and radio are being used ,” said SDMC spokesperson, Mukesh Yadav.

The fight is also being taken on line with SDMC putting up the names of fogging areas in its zones on the official website.