Monday, May 30 2005 22:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: While meningococcaemia is on the way out, cholera is making its presence felt in the capital, with as many as 197 cases reported in the capital in the last two months.

According to statistics provided by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), 197 cases of cholera have been reported between April four and May 28 this year (2005). While the total number of cholera cases this year so far stands at 211, no deaths have been reported due to the disease.

However, the number of cholera cases this year is very low compared to the same time last year (2004). As many as 640 cases of cholera were reported in the months of April and May 2004.

The total number of cholera cases last year was 1784. In 2003, 1528 cases of cholera were reported.

MCD officials, meanwhile, said they have taken a number of steps to prevent cholera, which includes testing of water samples by the Health Department to check the amount of chlorine, distributing chlorine tablets in areas where Delhi Jal Board is not supplying water and distributing 'jeevan rakshak ghol' through its 1873 depots.