Poll| Delhi battles 'worst' dengue outbreak: Can the city cope?

The Delhi-NCR area is witnessing the worst outbreak of dengue since 2010, with more than 1,800 cases and five deaths reported till September 12. Public health professionals say the worst is yet to come. Can the city cope?

The Delhi-NCR area is witnessing the worst outbreak of dengue since 2010, with more than 1,800 cases and five deaths reported till September 12. Public health professionals say the worst is yet to come.

“The disease normally peaks in the second and third week of October, so the numbers are going to go further up,” said Ekta Gupta, additional professor at the department of virology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences.

As many as 1,872 cases and five deaths have been reported in the national capital region, threatening to touch the high numbers of 2010 when mismanagement by civic authorities during the Commonwealth Games pushed the death toll to eight and 6,259 infections were reported.

Of these, 1,933 cases were reported in the corresponding period of 2010, which means more than 4,300 people were infected in the peak October season.

The Centre blamed the weather pattern, saying it is difficult to eliminate the disease as dengue mosquitoes get active with an increase in humidity, while the Delhi government put the onus on the public.

“As dengue mosquito breeds in fresh water, people need to be careful to not let water collect around them,” said health minister Satyendar Jain.

Civic agencies have stepped up fogging efforts in view of the spike in dengue cases. (Sonu Mehta/ HT Photo)