DENGUE CASES SURGE IN DELHI

As of early September, the national capital has recorded 673 dengue cases and two fatalities.

- TIKAM SHARMA

Delhi has witnessed a sharp rise in vector-borne diseases, particularly dengue, as a result of the unusually heavy and prolonged monsoon rains this year. Consequently, dengue cases in the city have surpassed the 670 mark, raising serious public health concerns. By early September, two dengue-related deaths had been reported, which indicates the severity of the outbreak.

According to data from the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), as of September 7, the national capital has recorded 673 dengue cases and two fatalities. A civic body source indicated that cases could increase due to the ongoing heavy rainfall in Delhi. The highest number of cases was reported in August, with the Najafgarh zone leading with 105 cases, followed by the Shahdara North zone, which recorded nearly 90 cases.

So far, two dengue-related deaths have been reported, one involving a 54-year-old patient at Lok Nayak Hospital and another at Safdarjung Hospital. In addition to dengue, the city has also seen a rise in other vector-borne diseases, including malaria and chikungunya. As per IHIP data, by September 7, there were 262 malaria cases and 32 chikungunya cases reported.