Civic agencies apprise Delhi HC on preventive steps taken against vector-borne diseases

The civic bodies today informed the Delhi High Court about the preventive steps taken by them to control vector-borne diseases, including dengue and chikungunya, in the national capital.

The awareness programmes undertaken by the municipal agencies include street plays, school rallies, community programmes, exhibitions, interactions with resident welfare associations and distribution of handbills with health messages among public, the status report filed by the MCD said.

It was filed before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar, which listed it for hearing on September 18.

The report also mentioned the data of dengue, chikungunya and malaria cases in areas under the East, South and North Delhi Municipal Corporations and other agencies like NDMC, Delhi Cantonment and Railway.

According to the report, a total of 56 dengue, 37 chikungunya and 109 malaria cases were reported in Delhi, but there were no deaths.

The corporations said they conducted exercises to check mosquito breeding in houses, legal notices were issued and prosecution was launched against defaulters and focal spray was carried out where breeding was found.

The court was hearing two PILs filed by advocates Arpit Bhargava and Gauri Grover seeking directions to the authorities to take steps to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases in Delhi.

Anguished over the lack of cleanliness and hygiene in parts of the national capital, the high court had earlier said the city will die if the situation does not improve as people may have to move out to make room for the increasing garbage.

The court had warned authorities of stringent penal action if anyone dies or is infected by vector-borne diseases. It had said if immediate action is not taken by the Centre, the Delhi government or the civic bodies, it will be forced to take strict action against all of them.