Month-long awareness campaign by EDMC, DMA against vector-borne diseases

NEW DELHI: The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), in collaboration with Delhi Medical Association, on Wednesday launched the ‘Anti Dengue and Malaria’ month in Geeta Colony.

East Delhi Mayor Neema Bhagat praised the efforts of dengue breeding checkers (DBCS), to check mosquito breeding by visiting door to door.

“The Corporation has already taken initiatives to make people aware by taking a number of steps. The objective of this month-long programme is to focus on spreading awareness among citizens about the measures they can take to prevent malaria and dengue,” she said.

Dr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Chairman of DMA, said that the initiative will give all possible help to cure vector-borne diseases, namely malaria, dengue and chikungunya.

“Vector-borne diseases are posing a great challenge to public health and step taken by DBCS is really commendable. All the authorities concerned should take all possible measures prevent the diseases,” Malhotra said, adding that such awareness campaigns must be organised in all wards of EDMC.

According to the status report of municipal corporations released on Monday, the number of people affected by the malaria in the city this year has raised to 230, with 57 cases being reported only in July.

Meanwhile, the number of dengue and chikungunya cases recorded since January were at 180 and 195 respectively, till July 22. Authorities fear that the number of cases this monsoon may rise, as the season for vector-borne diseases begins from mid-july and generally lasts till November-end.

Of the 230 malaria cases, 116 affected people were residents of Delhi. The remaining cases diagnosed in the city were traced to other States.

Of the 195 chikungunya cases, 127 of the affected people were residents of Delhi, while the rest of the cases were from other states, the Corporation’s release said.