Sixty nine fresh cases of vector-borne diseases were reported in the National Capital in the last one week, taking the total number of people infected with dengue, malaria and chikungunya to 276 this year till August 29.

According to the municipal report 24 fresh cases of dengue, 38 cases of malaria and seven cases of chikungunya reported in Delhi.

The total number of dengue cases has reached 105 this year while 128 people have been infected with malaria till 29 August. The number for chikungunya is 43.

“Mosquito-breeding has been reported in at least 44259 households and 35103 legal notices have been issued this year. The dengue breeding checkers have checked 12666665 houses and also issued challans to 1512 numbers of office and residential premises,” according to the latest report by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), which compiles infections data after taking inputs from three other corporations: south Delhi, East Delhi and North Delhi municipal corporations.

.“Malaria can occur throughout the year but peaks during rain and post rainy season. The on and off rains have made these areas water-logged, which becomes the suitable breeding ground for mosquitoes. We have to be very careful about our surroundings and keep it dry and clean so that mosquitoes don’t breed there. We have to use mosquito nets/repellent to keep mosquitoes away. Not only malaria but also dengue is quite common in this season," said Dr Ramani Ranjan, Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospital.

"Fogging and area sprays must be properly timed to coincide with the time of peak of adult mosquito activity, because resting mosquitoes are often found in areas that are difficult for the insecticide to reach. These diseases may require prolonged hospital stay and in the times of COVID-19, it also increases our health burden,” he said.

The SDMC and  Northern Railways on Friday flagged off a mosquito terminator train from New Delhi Railway Station to insecticide from a power sprayer mounted on a truck placed over the train to substantially mitigate the threat of vector borne diseases including Chikungunya and Dengue in 50 to 60 meter area on both sides of railway tracks.

This year, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his address on ‘Independence Day’ announced that the government will launch a mega dengue prevention awareness campaign from next month to combat vector borne diseases. Kejriwal had launched a similar campaign last year which garnered massive support from the public and several other well-known personalities across the country.