New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) Even as dengue cases are on the upswing, over 1,500 contract workers tasked to check homes for mosquito breeding went on strike Monday demanding regularisation of their jobs.

The strike hampered fogging operations and the door-to-door anti-dengue drive in the city.

With the fogging and anti-dengue drives coming to a halt, health experts feel the vector-borne disease could increase manifold.

According to MCD daily report, 75 new dengue cases were reported in the city Monday taking the total cases to 1,175, with three deaths reported so far.

MCD health committee chairman V.K. Monga told IANS: 'MCD will take strict action against those who have gone on strike. We have asked for a list of employees on strike, and if they do not join back in the next 24 hours we will begin a fresh recruitment procedure.'

He also said that appointment of new staff shall start by Tuesday evening.

About 3,200 Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC), working as daily wagers for MCD, have been demanding regularization by the corporation.