Ahmedabad is facing a severe outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases following a break in the incessant rains it witnessed earlier this month.
The first half of September has brought 282 cases of dengue — including 16 among children under the age of one and 130 over 15 — a number usually seen across the year.
The city has also reported 47 cases of malaria, four cases of severe malaria, and 22 cases of chikungunya.
Water-borne diseases are also dealing a blow to the city, which has seen 267 cases of diarrhoea, 226 cases of jaundice, 303 cases of typhoid, and two cases of cholera.
Civic authorities say they are doing their best to combat these infections.
Dr Bhavin Solanki, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation’s medical officer, said that efforts are being made to prevent mosquito breeding in various places like malls, complexes, and construction sites.
However, he admits that the civic body has received several complaints that third-party contractors are not providing adequate fogging. Notices have been issued to agencies like HPC and CWC regarding this serious matter, he said.
Further, none of the 213 samples collected by the AMC in September showed the presence of chlorine.
With the outpatient departments of AMC hospitals and urban health centres full of dengue and chikungunya patients, the Opposition has alleged that civic officials are downplaying the situation.