‘Over 1,500 chikungunya cases in last 7 days alone’

New Delhi: Discussions on the chikungunya and

dengue

epidemic dominated the House meeting in South Delhi Municipal Corporation on Monday.

The latest report released by the health department states that of the total 2,625 chikungunya

cases

, almost 60% (1,568) were reported during the past seven days.

Leader of the Opposition, Farhad Suri, however, alleged that the number of cases reported officially are incorrect. “Even if we take a liberal view of numbers, at least five lakh people are suffering from the outbreak,” he claimed. Echoing Suri’s claim, Sangam Vihar councillor, Kalpana Jha, said the number of patients was fake as she has witnessed three deaths, one being her relative.

District health officer Dr DK Seth clarified that the reason behind the increase in numbers is increased awareness among people. “People are concerned about chikungunya and are getting themselves tested. Secondly, if mosquitoes bite infected patients and then draw blood from healthy people, the

disease

is likely to spread more,” he said.

SDMC also took the decision to recruit 114 new anti-malaria inspectors and 166 domestic breeding checkers within the next one week.

Subhash Arya, leader of the House, said that many people don’t go to hospitals and do self-medication. “If Delhiites can ensure that no water gets accumulated in and around their houses, mosquitoes will be eradicated,” he added.