After a day of heavy rain, Delhi is facing a serious health concern, a sharp rise in mosquito-borne illnesses. With waterlogged streets and poor drainage, malaria cases have hit a five-year high. According to the latest data, 135 cases were reported from January 1 to August 2, marking the highest number for this period in the last five years. What Areas In Delhi Are Seeing A Rise In Malaria Cases? The city of Delhi is seeing a worrying increase in malaria cases. The West Zone of the city has been hit the hardest, with 30 confirmed cases. This recent data comes from different parts of Delhi, including areas managed by the New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Cantt, and Indian Railways. As of August 2nd, the number of malaria cases has been growing year after year, with this year’s total of 135 cases being the highest in the last five years for the same period. City officials say this is happening because of a "perfect environment for mosquitoes to breed." They have found that common places where mosquitoes are growing include water-filled coolers, flower pots, drums, and even old tires left on rooftops. Vector-Borne Diseases Also a Concern Malaria is a serious, life-threatening disease common in tropical countries. It is spread to people through the bite of certain types of infected mosquitoes. The good news is that malaria is both preventable and curable. Unfortunately, malaria isn't the only mosquito-related problem. Two other diseases carried by mosquitoes are also on the rise: Chikungunya: So far this year, there have been 20 cases. The West and Central Zones of the city have each reported five cases. This is a noticeable jump from previous years, with a total of 267 cases reported in all of 2024. Dengue: The city has also seen 291 cases of dengue. The Central Zone has the most cases, with 39. Last year, 11 people sadly died from this disease. To fight this problem, health officials have been inspecting homes. They've found that mosquitoes are breeding in over 100,000 houses and have sent out around 76,000 legal notices to residents to clean up these spots. Why Should Malaria Be A Cause Of Concern For People? According to IJID Regions journal, Malaria remains a significant health challenge in India, with about 1.3 billion people at risk and over 180,000 cases reported in 2022. The Indian government has been working hard to control and reduce the number of malaria cases. This report looked closely at these efforts and found that several programs have been successful. The Urban Malaria Scheme, which focuses on 131 cities, and the Intensified Malaria Control Project, which targets seven high-risk areas, have both been very effective. A newer plan, the National Framework for Malaria Elimination, has also helped reduce cases in states like Odisha, which was once a major hotspot for the disease. How to Stay Safe from Malaria?If you think you have malaria, it's essential to get tested right away with a simple blood test. Early treatment can stop a mild case from becoming severe. Doctors will prescribe specific medicines based on the type of malaria and the person's age and health. A major challenge in fighting malaria today is that the parasites and mosquitoes are becoming resistant to our medicines and insecticides. Scientists are working on new solutions, like new-generation mosquito nets and updated treatment plans, to combat this resistance and keep the disease under control. You can protect yourself from malaria by avoiding mosquito bites and taking special medication, especially if you are traveling to an area where malaria is common. To avoid mosquito bites: Use mosquito nets when you sleepWear protective clothing like long sleeves and pants.Use mosquito repellent on your skin.Install screens on your windows and doors.