LUCKNOW, Oct. 5 -- Dengue cases in Lucknow have risen sharply, with 87 new cases reported across the city in just five days, between September 29 and October 3. The latest cases have taken the total number of dengue infections reported this year to 342, according to data from the local health administration. The increase comes after three consecutive days of rainfall that led to waterlogging at several places, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. Health officials said stagnant water left behind after the rains could provide fresh breeding sites for Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits dengue. Lucknow has 110 wards, while only five malaria inspectors and their dedicated teams are overseeing vector-control activities across the city. "After the rains, our focus shifts to case-based activities. Wherever cases are reported, teams are deployed for source reduction," said Ritu Srivastava, district malaria officer. "As the rain has stopped, our teams are focusing on vulnerable locations where more cases are being reported. Source reduction, anti-larva spraying and fogging have been intensified in coordination with other departments," Srivastava said. PK Srivastava, city health officer, Lucknow Municipal Corporation, said fogging and anti-larva spraying were being carried out regularly in different parts of the city. Dr Sheetal Verma, department of microbiology, KGMU, said repeated monsoon rainfall and waterlogging may have increased stagnant-water breeding sites for mosquitoes. htc...