Hindustan Times 10.08.2010
Dengue a bigger threat: WaliaHealth Minister Kiran Walia has said the widespread breeding of dengue and other vector-borne disease-causing mosquitoes across the city is a bigger threat than swine flu ahead of the Commonwealth Games. “Dengue is our primary focus right now. Breeding is found in critical areas, and it’s a
cause for concern. We are doing everything possible to check its outbreak,” she said.
“As for swine flu, I’m in regular touch with medical superintendents of all hospitals, and they have assured me there’s no need to panic,” she added.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) recently found mosquitoes breeding at various Commonwealth Games construction sites and some prominent Delhi hospitals and issued challans.
Mosquito-breeding was detected at a large number at places such as the Games village near Akshardham temple, under-construction flats at Vasant Kunj, Yamuna Sports Complex, Indira Gandhi Stadium and R.K. Khanna Stadium, AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and GB Pant hospitals.
The city already has seen 121 reported cases of the disease, with eight fresh cases confirmed on Monday.
A total of 77 dengue cases have been reported from MCD areas, followed by 22 in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) areas and the remaining from outside the state.
“It’s alarming to see some CWG sites and even hospitals in the list of violators. We have collaborated with MCD to devise ways to stop the disease from spiralling out of control,” said Kiran Walia.
In a recent meeting with the civic agency, Walia created a task force specifically to check the spread of vector-borne diseases in the city.
The task force has representatives from the state health ministry as well as MCD, NDMC, Delhi cantonment, railway hospitals, etc.
Dr V.K. Monga, chairman of the medical relief and public health wing of the MCD, will head the task force, which will meet after every two days to check the situation.
