New Delhi, Apr 10: A report released by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) ahead of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections reveal at least 79 cases of chikungunya, 24 cases of dengue and 13 malaria cases in this year. The report further states that out of the total patients, 11 patients had acquired the infection from one of the neighbouring states. The numbers revealed in the report are by far the highest recorded in the period since 2012.
The SDMC data indicates that in the past one week, nine new cases of chikungunya were reported but none of the patients were from the capital and belonged to the neighbouring states. According to experts, the rise in the number of cases is due to the last week’s rain which had led to the proliferation of mosquitoes and spreading of diseases.
Doctors are now hoping a drop in the number of cases with the rise in heat, but they have also warned the civic authorities to act early to prevent the outbreak similar to the one experienced by the capital in 2016. In 2016, a total of 7,760 chikungunya cases and 4,431 dengue cases were recorded in Delhi.
Political blame game
Blame game among the political parties began after the release of the report. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) blamed the corporation ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for failing in their job, BJP has argued lack of funds provided by AAP that had led to such a situation.
The CAG’s audit performance tabled in the Delhi Assembly last month has blamed BJP for failing in finding a solution to dengue diseases despite adequate funds. According to the report, the municipal bodies spent Rs 109.43 crore during 2013-15 on domestic breeding checkers without any supervision or assessment.
The chikungunya and dengue cases in the last week of December in 2016 has been reported to be the worst chikungunya outbreak in the last 10 years.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on India.com.
