National Capital witnesses spike in vector-borne diseases

The recent spell of rain has triggered a sharp rise in cases of vector-borne diseases across the National Capital, with malaria and chikungunya cases reaching their highest levels, for this time, in recent years.

According to the latest Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) report, malaria cases have climbed to 371 so far — the highest in recent years for this time — with 136 new cases added in the last week of September. This is higher than the 363 cases recorded in 2024 and 294 cases in 2023 during the same period.

The most cases were reported in West Delhi at 59, followed by Central Delhi with 46 cases.

While dengue cases remain comparatively lower, the city has still logged 759 infections this year — far below the 1,229 cases in 2024 and 3,013 in 2023. Of these, 260 were reported in September alone.

Chikungunya, however, has seen a sharp spike, with 61 cases recorded so far — the highest in recent years — including 24 new infections last month, compared to just seven in 2023.

Health officials attribute the spike to post-monsoon humidity and water accumulation in coolers, pots and construction sites — especially in areas like Najafgarh, Karol Bagh and Shahdara — creating ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Even as the MCD intensifies its efforts to check the spread of the diseases, civic councillors have flagged poor waste management and sanitation as major contributors to the yearly outbreak. The issue also dominated the last MCD House session, where AAP councillors staged a symbolic protest by wearing mosquito nets.

“There has been a rapid rise in malaria, chikungunya and dengue cases, which peak between July and November. The BJP-led government should have acted earlier with a concrete action plan,” Ankush Narang, AAP’s Leader of Opposition in the MCD, said. Daryaganj councillor Sarika Chaudhary added, “Poor garbage maintenance has worsened the situation, leading to a spike in vector-borne diseases.”

Meanwhile, Indraprastha Vikas Party councillor Mukesh Goel said, “Year after year, we face the same problem. Timely garbage collection is essential to prevent mosquito breeding.”

According to MCD data, anti-larval spraying has been carried out in over 3.9 lakh houses so far. The civic body has issued 6,420 legal notices and initiated 1,427 prosecutions this week against repeat offenders for maintaining mosquitogenic conditions. More than 3.1 crore site inspections have been conducted since the start of the season as part of the containment drive.

However, the city’s anti-mosquito efforts have been disrupted as Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBCs) — frontline workers responsible for inspecting households and controlling mosquito breeding — have gone on strike.

Since September 29, MCD’s Multi-Tasking Staff, including DBCs, have been on an indefinite protest outside the civic body’s headquarters at Gate No 5, demanding better working conditions and timely payment of wages.