Dengue, Malaria Cases Could Rise In Delhi Due To Flooding: Mayor Shelly Oberoi

New Delhi: Over 160 dengue cases have been reported in the national capital till mid-July this year, the highest for this period since 2018, according to a municipal report released on Monday (July 17). The report issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) also said that 54 cases of malaria have been recorded in the same period. The Delhi government has come up with a “mega action plan” to combat the spread of vector-borne diseases under which steps will be taken to determine the serotype of the prevailing dengue virus in the city, officials said on Sunday.

Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting on the preparedness for keeping vector-borne diseases under check in the national capital.

After flooding, there is a fear of cases of vector-borne disease like dengue, chikungunya and malaria rising. But that trend is not being seen at the moment. Cases of conjunctivitis and skin allergy are mostly being reported from relief camps, he told reporters during his visit to a Delhi government hospital here.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi on Monday had said that there is a possibility of a rise in dengue and malaria cases in the national capital this year due to flooding in several areas. Directions were issued to departments concerned to take steps to check mosquito breeding and clear silt and sludge left by the Yamuna waters, she said.

Authorities started cleaning roads and removing silt from the flooded areas, even though the water level in Yamuna started rising again on Monday. It rose to 205.94 at 7 pm from 205.58 at 8 am.

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The mayor had also conducted a review meeting amid the fear of a rise in dengue and malaria cases. She said several areas were waterlogged, but the situation is improving gradually.

Now, it is a matter of concern that due to the flood, there is a possibility of more cases of dengue and malaria in comparison to last year… Instructions have been issued to all departments concerned to clean garbage and silt, and launch a drive to control mosquito breeding, she told reporters.

She said flood waters have started receding in several areas.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Saurab Bharadwaj said that all Delhi government departments have been instructed to constantly monitor the situation in the aftermath of flooding in the national capital.

Interacting with reporters during his visit to a Delhi government hospital here, he also said that cases of conjunctivitis and skin allergy are mostly being reported from relief camps set up.

The minister said east Delhi and northeast Delhi have largely been impacted due to the floods.

Also Read: Cases Of Conjunctivitis, Skin Allergy Mostly Being Reported From Relief Camps: Delhi Health Minister

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