Malaria, dengue down in Kolkata

Kolkata, Jan 13 (PTI) The number of cases of malaria and dengue have fallen down sharply in the city in 2011, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) today said. In the year 2010, a total of 96,693 malaria cases were reported from the city, while the figure dropped to 41,642 last year, KMC's member of Mayor-in-Council (health) Atin Ghosh said. Similarly, cases of dengue have fallen down to 328 from 948 in 2010. No cases of death from either malaria or dengue was reported in 2011. However, the number of chikungunya victims rose in the city to 230 in 2011 from 37 in the preceding year. The KMC official said they will increase awareness drives in the city and launch a special drive in mosquito control programmes. "We will also file cases and warrants will be issued against those who do not follow our guidelines in malaria control programmes," Ghosh said adding that they have also asked the state irrigation department to clean up areas near various canals in the city which often act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.