New Delhi: The vector-borne disease count continues to rise in the city, with 33 more malaria and four chikungunya cases reported last week. Union health minister JP Nadda on Monday urged the NCR states to reassess their preparedness to tackle such cases, particularly in light of the prolonged rainy season and subsequent waterlogging in certain areas.The total malaria cases in Delhi stand at 297 compared to 271 during the same period in 2024 and 165 in 2023. Chikungunya cases stand at 46, up from 33 a year ago and 10 in 2023.The city has so far reported 619 dengue cases, which is a marginal dip from 709 last year, stated MCD’s latest report issued on Sept 13. In 2023, it stood at 1,847. Last week, 62 cases were reported. Mosquito breeding increases in Aug, Sept and Oct due to humidity, said officials. “Our teams are taking intensive action and domestic breeding checkers are going on door-to-door visits. We also expect the people to cooperate as dengue mosquitoes breed in fresh water, mostly in pots and empty items kept on terraces,” said an official.Chairing a review meeting in Delhi-NCR, Nadda called for “Jan Chetna through Jan Bhagidari” as he emphasised the role of the community in dengue control. Hospital readiness, inter-sectoral coordination and community engagement are key to such preparedness, he said. The NCR states were also advised to intensify vector control and strengthen surveillance and rapid response.The meeting was attended by Delhi health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, AIIMS Delhi director M Srinivas, MCD mayor Raja Iqbal Singh and Ghaziabad mayor Sunita Dayal, besides senior officials and hospital representatives from Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.Till Sept 13, MCD has issued 5,516 institutional challans amounting to Rs 17,04,307 for keeping premises unhygienic and prone to mosquito breeding. Of close to 3 lakh houses visited, 1,83,838 were found positive for mosquito breeding against 1,56,932 in 2024. According to official sources, India has reported a 47% drop in dengue cases and 73% fewer deaths in 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024.
