Dengue fever outbreak adds to Delhi fears

An uotbreak of dengue fever threatens to add to the headaches of Commonwealth Games officials already struggling with deadlines and a major clean-up of Delhi.

Almost 1,300 cases, including three deaths, have been reported in the city since June and organisers are trying every trick in the book, including 'mosquito fish', to stop the spread before the October 3-14 Games.

Local media reported that 24 participating countries have written to Games organisers seeking assurances of the steps being taken to curb the outbreak.

More than 3,000 workers contracted to monitor the spread of the disease are threatening to strike if they are not regularised by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The dengue scare is the latest problem for organisers, who have already missed several deadlines to get venues ready and are struggling to clear debris all over the city after large-scale construction and face-lifting projects.

Monsoon rain has made it worse and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the stagnant pools at some of the construction sites were breeding mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes were also found in the water body at the Games Village, prompting organisers to double the number of hand-operated fogging machines there.

Last month, gambusia fish were released in the water body to curb mosquito breeding.

Reuters