New Delhi: The dengue menace continued unabated in the national capital with 71 more patients testing positive for the vector-borne disease on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 2,224.
The capital has reported five dengue deaths this season. During the same period last year, the number of cases of the vector-borne disease in the city was only 21 while it was 369 and 75 in the corresponding periods in 2008 and 2007. South Delhi continued to be worst-affected this season recording 344 cases, followed by MCD Civil Lines Zone 319), Central Zone (278) and Rohini (253).
The civic bodies are attributing the rapid increase in dengue cases this season to prolonged monsoon and stagnation of water at Commonwealth Games construction sites.
The dengue outbreak has also raised concern among several countries which are sending teams to participate in the Games to be held here next month. Over 20 nations had sought
information from the Games Organising Committee about the dengue outbreak and steps being taken to combat it.
India yesterday issued a health advisory for participants and visitors coming for the event asking them to take precautions like carrying full-sleeve clothes and bringing mosquito repellent creams, oils, mats or coils.
PTI
