The Pioneer 17.08.2010
Twenty more dengue cases in Delhi
Staff Reporter | New Delhi
Dengue cases continued to rise in the city with 20 people testing positive on Monday taking the count of those affected by the disease to 254. “As many as 20 people tested positive for dengue fever today. With this, the total number of people who tested positive for dengue since June has risen to 254,” NK Yadav, MCD medical health officer, said. After a spurt in dengue cases was reported in Jamia Nagar, Yadav said, the MCD has appointed an epidemiologist who will look after the area.
He also said that the number of hand-operated fogging machines has been doubled especially in the Commonwealth Games village to curb the dengue menace. “Fogging is effective for only two days. Dengue fever can be prevented if mosquito breeding can be controlled,” the official said.
Concerned over the rise in dengue cases, the Delhi Government has directed its Health Department and the MCD to take all possible measures to control spread of the disease before commencement of Commonwealth Games in October.
Expressing concern over the rising number of dengue cases, Health Minister Kiran Walia said the MCD and Health Department have been told to take all measures required to check the disease. Dengue cases continued to rise in the city as 20 more people tested positive for the virus on Monday taking the count of people affected by the disease to 254. As the threat of dengue looms large around Games venues where construction activities are on, she said the Government has appointed a task force to control the disease. The task force comprises officials from both the Delhi Government and the MCD.
Asked about reports that Australian Commonwealth Games Association keeping ready a container-load of mosquito repellents to be used by its athletes if required during the mega event here, Walia only said the city Government was not facing any scarcity of mosquito repellent.
“I am monitoring the situation very closely. The task force has been asked to coordinate among various agencies and suggest measures to check the spread of the disease,” she said after a meeting with top officials of her department and the MCD. A senior MCD health official had said that the number of dengue cases at this time of the year was more in comparison to the corresponding period last year.
Admitting that construction activities in the city may be a reason for rise in dengue cases, Walia said Principal Secretary (Health) Rajendra Kumar has also been told to coordinate efforts to control the disease. Walia also appealed to citizens to keep their households clean and ensure that water does not accumulate in their surroundings.
