LG holds review meet on dengue, chikungunya preps in Delhi

Lt Governor Anil Baijal today held a review meeting with the three municipal commissioners on preparations for combating vector-borne diseases in the city.
The meeting took place days after civic authorities reported at least 60 cases of chikungunya in Delhi even as the season of the vector-borne diseases ended in December.
"The LG reviewed preparation for combating dengue and chikungunya, with all stakeholders. He directed that SOPs (standard operating procedures) be strictly monitored and public awareness must be raised," a senior official of the LG Office said.
At least 60 cases of chikungunya have been reported in the national capital this year with nearly half of them registered this month.

Sixteen cases of dengue have also been reported in the last three months, according to a municipal report released on Monday.
The municipal authorities had recently called an all hands workshop on prevention and control of vector-borne diseases to finalise a comprehensive action plan for combating the menace in the coming season.

In the workshop, SDMC Commissioner P K Goel had asked officials to "identify the cases of dengue and chikungunya coming to Delhi from other states."
A total of 4,431 cases of dengue were reported till the end of 2016, according to the report by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation which tabulates the data on behalf of all municipal corporations in the city.

Out of the 60 chikungunya cases reported till March 18, 27 of them were recorded this month. In January 20 cases were reported, while 13 in February.
Six cases of dengue were reported in January, four in February and six in March till now.
Till January 14, only two chikungnuya cases were reported, while no dengue case had been reported till then.
Chikungunya and dengue cases in the national capital had tapered off by December first week in last year ending the vector-borne disease season in the city that witnessed its outbreak in the last 10 years, but cases are still being registered.

At least 15 fatalities were reported last year at various hospitals in the city due to complications triggered by chikungunya, though the civic bodies have kept the death tally at zero.
At least 21 deaths due to dengue were reported last year at various hospitals, including nine at AIIMS, though the official tally of the SDMC stood at 10.
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Baijal asked the stakeholders to share copies of their action plans, so that there is coordinated action.
"All construction agencies like DDA, DMRC, PWD, DJB, DUSIB Railways etc were directed to make available details of all procedures on their websites for information dissemination.

"The schedule of visits of officials of the three Corporations, Health Department, NDMC, etc. Should be widely publicised," LG office said in a statement.
The LG directed the health department and other agencies to ensure that stocks of all logistic including mosquito nets and medicines, etc. Were available in sufficient quantity.
Baijal observed that field duties assigned to officials must be strictly monitored.
"Circulars and directions will be issued in all government departments/private institutions to hold internal meetings or group meetings to identify the areas in their respective premises where breeding can happen and find ways to sort out source reduction," Baijal's office said.