Civic body differs with IDSP on dengue, chikungunya data

In all 2,625 cases of chikungunya and 1,378 cases of dengue have been reported in the city so far this season, according to a weekly municipal report released on Monday.

The data compiled by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, the nodal agency, sans chikungunya deaths when the disease has claimed 18 lives in the city. Even the MCD data shows four deaths due to dengue whereas 13 people have died of the disease so far.

The total number of reported cases stands at 3,251 till September 17, of which 2,625 are confirmed cases, said the municipal report. According to the Centre’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, the number of cases of chikungunya so far reported in the capital is 3,358 till September 13. There is also a spurt in dengue cases, which stands at 2,926 till September 13, as per the Centre’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.

The Deccan Herald had already reported that there are discrepancies in the data collation process. On Monday, Chairman of Medical Relief and Public Health Committee of North Delhi Municipal Corporation Rajpal Rana directed the officials concerned to increase the number of Tifa machines (used for fogging) and availability of required medicines, and recruit additional field workers in view to rising number of cases of dengue and chikungunya.

Rana asked deputy directors (health) of all six zones to inspect their respective areas. He directed the medical superintendents of all hospitals-run by the civic agency to ensure proper treatment of dengue and chikungunya patients. He said stern action will be taken against the accused official in case of a complaint of misbehaviour.

“Medical facilities at the North Corporation hospitals are running smooth and if need arises, the number of beds will be increased.” Even the AAP government has been appealing to the people to take out time to clean their homes and their surroundings to fight dengue and chikungunya.

”Anyway we clean our homes for Diwali. Let’s just do it little early this year,” Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said. He added that beds at the Delhi government hospitals have been lying unoccupied and “everybody is getting treated”.