Vector-borne disease surge: Malaria cases at 6-year high

As monsoon clouds retreat over Delhi, the city is once again battling a familiar seasonal problem -- the surge of vector-borne diseases.

- Paras Singh

Municipal data shows that malaria infections have climbed to their highest in at least six years, while dengue and chikungunya continue to add to the city's public health burden.

According to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) latest report dated September 29, Delhi has recorded 371 malaria cases so far this year, surpassing the corresponding figures for every year since 2019. The city had logged 363 malaria cases by the same period last year, 237 in 2023, 68 in 2022, and 66 in 2021.

While the number of dengue cases (759) remains lower than last year's 1,229, officials say the city continues to report dozens of new infections every week. In the same period in 2023, Delhi had reported a much higher 1,229 cases, while chikungunya cases this year stand at 61, in comparison to last year's 43.

To be sure, officials clarified that no deaths have been attributed to mosquito-borne diseases so far this year.