New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) claimed to have brought the number of vector borne diseases down drastically in its areas with sustained efforts of health department of the civic agency. 

NDMC Secretary Rashmi Singh said that as per the comparative report of three years on vector borne diseases, only three cases of dengue are registered this year are considerably less than the previous two years wherein figures were 61 in 2017 and 9 in 2018.

As per data available with the civic body, the number of challans and notices issued for mosquito breeding has also seen a downwards trend since 2017.

"The civic body reported 41 cases of malaria in NDMC areas in 2017, the number of cases in 2018 and 2019 are 31 and 24, respectively. Similarly, the number of dengue cases in three years were 61, 9 and 3 while the Chikungunya figures were at 3, 0 and 1, respectively," Singh said.

Data available reflects the number of cases recorded till August 31 in three years. While the civic body had issued 2,979 notices for mosquito breeding in 2017,  2,241 and 2,203 notices were issued in the subsequent years.

Among those who were issued notices this year, were Paryavaran Bhawan, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan Lady Hardinge Hospital, besides Government offices, hospitals and schools after mosquitoes were found breeding in their premises.

Outlining the details of the efforts undertaken by the health department of the civic body, she said that in order to sensitise the inhabitants of New Delhi area in respect of prevention and control of vector borne diseases, sustained awareness campaigns had been launched in schools, colleges, markets, residential complexes, hospitals, private and Government buildings and public areas as well. 

The number of challans issued in 2017 was 291, 69 challans have been issued this year, she said.

"Over 1,000 of them were found positive in being a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Fogging was done in over 22,000 buildings," she said.