To keep the cases of dengue in the city under control, the Delhi government has asked private blood banks to supply platelets for free and have separate beds for dengue patients.

Charan Singh, Additional Director, Public Health and Waterborne Diseases Control, Directorate of Health Services, said, "Private blood banks have been requested to give platelets for free. If they can't then they should provide it at nominal rate. We are also strengthening diagnostic facility in the hospitals."

Singh also said that the Delhi government was executing new guidelines released by the central government.

At present, there are 34 government hospitals offering diagnosis and treatment facility for dengue patients.

The government is also trying to guarantee a 24-hour diagnosis facility at government centers in addition to free of cost transportation to the patients.

"We are conducting various awareness campaigns among the students through the medium of literature to make them aware about the disease and preventive measures. Even doctors have been trained to do counseling of patients and avoid panic in case of body pain or high fever," said Amar Nath, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department.

Dengue is transferred by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes. Its Symptoms are headache, fever, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.

According to the report, the number of cases from January 1 to July 18 for the earlier five years were - 16 (2014), 14 (2013), 8 (2012), 11 (2011), 28 (2010).

Out of the total number of cases in 2015, 12 have been reported in July only.