Dengue remains cause of concern
The number of dengue cases in the city continue to rise constantly but seem to have stabilised with nearly 70 cases being reported on a daily basis. However, civic agencies feel that the “plateauing” of dengue figures was not a matter of relief as a second wave was likely to hit once the water begins receding from the areas which have been inundated by the waters from the overflowing Yamuna.
Municipal health officials say with rain consistently drenching the city, the weather was perfect for mosquito breeding in all the areas where rain water is stagnant. As a result, the number of cases have remained high. However, had these been normal times, the stabilising of high figures of dengue would have meant that it would start coming down.
“We know that we are in for a long haul. With the Commonwealth Games less than three weeks away, we will have to prepared for the rise in the number of cases as water begins to recede,” said an MCD official. He added that while the Commonwealth Games Village, which is surrounded by stagnant water from three sides, would remain the top priority, other low-lying areas from where water will begin receding could not be ignored. “Villages like Chilla, Usmanpur, Garhi Mandu and areas like Batla House are also prone to dengue outbreak. As the water level will recede, the incidence will go up,” said the official.
Compared to 2006 and 2008, which have been declared worst for dengue in the last four years, the figures for this year have been exceptionally high. “If the trend of high incidence continues like this, the number of cases this season could become a record for many years,” said the official.
Another problem being envisaged by the civic agency officials is the fact that debris, in large amounts, continues to be strewn around at several places. Persistent rains have made the task of streetscaping and debris-lifting difficult, said the official.
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