New Delhi: With dengue cases rising, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Standing Committee chairperson Satya Sharma has directed the civic body’s public health department to intensify mosquito-control measures and maintain adequate stocks of insecticides and medicines.Keeping festive crowds in mind, the civic body has also been asked to ensure regular fogging around temples and Ramlila venues, besides carrying out anti-larval measures and sanitation drives in vulnerable areas.Delhi has recorded 695 dengue cases so far this year, including 98 fresh cases in the week ending Oct 3 and 104 in the week leading up to Oct 10, according to the MCD’s latest vector-borne disease report. The city recorded 286 cases in Sept, up from 260 during the same month last year, while Oct saw 377 cases last year.At a review meeting with public health department officials on Oct 9, Sharma stressed the need for regular door-to-door inspections by multi-tasking staff (MTS) and domestic breeding checker (DBC) employees to identify mosquito-breeding sites and ensure timely action. “Negligence in inspection work would not be tolerated and greater public awareness about preventive measures is required,” she said.The city has recorded 294 malaria cases till Oct 12 this year, including 28 reported last week, compared with 494 cases during the corresponding period in 2025.MCD said its teams had inspected 3.3 crore premises for mosquito-breeding conditions this year, compared with 3.1 crore last year. Of these, 1.9 lakh premises were found positive for mosquito breeding, compared with 2.1 lakh in 2025.Sharma directed officials to carry out fogging and anti-larval spraying in affected and vulnerable areas.“Special sanitation measures around religious places and Ramlila venues, which attract large numbers of devotees and visitors during the festive season, should be carried out,” she said.The chairperson also reviewed the availability of insecticides, medicines and other essential supplies, directing officials to ensure there were no shortages.“Regular inspections, timely fogging, adequate supplies and coordination among departments are essential to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. These can be tackled only when staff spray insecticides and take preventive measures on the ground on a war footing,” Sharma said.The status of the demand for equal pay for MTS employees was also reviewed. Sharma sought details from officials on the progress made and the action taken in the matter.
