Malaria cases at a five-year high of 297

Vector-borne diseases are spreading rapidly in the Capital, with 62 cases of malaria recorded in the first two weeks of September, and 32 of them reported in the past week, according to Municipal Corporation of Delhi. So far this year, a total of 297 malaria cases were reported – at a five-year high in the corresponding period – with 271 cases recorded in 2024, 210 in 2023, 63 in 2022, and 68 in 2021.

Dengue also has seen a rise, though less than in past years, with 120 cases reported this month, 62 of which came in the last week. The year’s total stands at 619 and 49 cases of Chikungunya have been reported so far this year.

Up the ante

However, the MCD health officials claim to have intensified their drive. “We have also taken stock of flood-affected areas and already deployed 136 workers there,” an official said.

In the past week, he said, anti-mosquito chemicals were sprayed in more than two lakh houses, while inspections were conducted in around eight lakh houses. Over 13 lakh homes have been sprayed this year, while legal notices have been issued to 1.2 lakh households for having mosquitogenic conditions, according to the report accessed.