Over four dozen suspected cases of vector-borne diseases have been reported in Gurugram this year, including a confirmed case of dengue, even as informed sources on July 11 claimed a severe health staff crunch.

Civil Hospital records say 17 cases of suspected dengue have been reported this season till now, including one confirmed case. Four suspected cases of malaria were also reported, though no case of chikugunyna has come to the fore. However, doctors at private hospitals here claimed that the number of such cases was much more than the official figures since the maximum number of patients approached private hospitals in the city, which are not officially allowed to confirm cases of malaria, dengue or chikungunya.

While the Health Department officials claim that they are fully prepared to tackle such diseases that break out during or after the rainy season from July to September, sources in the Government Civil Hospital told IANS that there was an acute staff shortage. "The District Malaria Officer's post has been lying vacant for nearly two months after Dr S.S. Saroha was shifted out to another health centre in the city. The centre has been facing acute staff shortage," the source said.

"We have just 22 staff... we sent a demand for 250 staff to authorities but it was not met," said a hospital staffer. As many as 621 suspected dengue cases were reported last year in Gurugram, with 66 confirmed ones. Similarly, 10 suspected cases of chikugunyna (3 confirmed) and 48 suspected cases of malaria were reported.

"We have identified 65 ponds/water bodies in the city that could help spread vector- borne diseases. We are putting Gambusia fish in these ponds, besides fogging different areas," an official quoting the Civil Surgeon said. Gambusia or mosquitofish is a species of freshwater fish that eats the larvae of mosquitoes. Chief Medical Officer-cum-Civil Surgeon Gulshan Arora did not responded to phone calls despite efforts.