Less dengue, chikungunya cases this year, Delhi government tells HC

The Aam Aadmi Party government on Wednesday asserted in the Delhi High Court that less number of dengue and chikungunya cases were reported in the national capital this year compared to last year.

The government told a division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal that it had been taking measures to control vector-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya and malaria.

"Owing to the early start of preparatory activities of GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi), this core mandate has been effectively discharged. Number of dengue fever cases reported are less in comparison with previous year in spite of early and more rainfall this year," the government affidavit said.

It said four deaths have been reported due to dengue till September 10. As many as 1,158 dengue cases were reported, including 804 patients from Delhi and 354 living outside Delhi.

As many as 1,057 cases of chikungunya were reported but no death was attributed to this disease till September 10, said the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).

As per media reports, chikungunya has so far killed 10 people in the national capital.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by lawyer Shahid Ali who accused the Delhi government and the three municipal corporations of not acting vigilantly and responsibly in tackling mosquito-borne diseases.

The bench asked Ali to file suggestion on the steps to be taken on the issue and posted the matter for September 20.

--IANS

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