Dengue worries world

With dengue cases in the Capital crossing the 1,000 mark on Wednesday, many countries participating in the Commonwealth Games have expressed concern. HT reports.

With dengue cases in the Capital crossing the 1,000 mark on Wednesday, many countries participating in the Commonwealth Games have expressed concern.

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At least 20 countries have written to the Organising Committee (OC) of the Commonwealth Games inquiring about measures being taken to control the outbreak. The OC claimed there was nothing to worry.

"The government is doing all it can to contain dengue in Delhi. Dengue breaks out every year and it ebbs by September-end. There is nothing to worry as all measures are being taken to contain the outbreak," said Lalit Bhanot, OC Secretary General.

OC officials said the outbreak was a problem in the whole of South Asia right now.

"Bangkok, Malayasia and even Singapore, which is hosting the Youth Olympics right now, have reported far more cases than Delhi. So there is no need to view Delhi as a special case," said a senior OC official.

But Delhi residents have reasons to worry.

It is not the unauthorised colonies and low-lying areas in the city that have provided a perfect breeding ground for dengue-causing mosquitoes. Most cases of mosquito breeding have been detected from affluent areas and establishments.

"Maximum breeding has been detected in areas such as Delhi Cantonment, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Yusuf Sarai, Vasant Vihar and Vasant Kunj among others," said a senior official at NVBDCP, on condition of anonymity.

In its recent report, NVBDCP branded Delhi cantonment among the worst hit areas in Delhi, with the larvae of dengue-causing mosquitoes detected in about 25 per cent of the places inspected.

Some of the prominent private hospitals such as Apollo, Fortis - Vasant Kunj, Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute - Sheikh Sarai-II, apart from some government hospitals and medical colleges including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), GB Pant, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), have also been recently issued challans.

Large-scale mosquito breeding was found on their premises. The hospital currently has 16 dengue patients admitted.

"AIIMS has a separate dengue prevention programme but still breeding was found in 14.5 per cent of the places inspected, including its staff quarters," said Dr V.K. Monga, public health committee chairman, Municipal Corporation of Delhi. On Wednesday, 77 fresh dengue cases were reported.