Dengue scare: Mosquito nets, repellents for Games athletes

As concerns mount over the threat of dengue during the Commonwealth Games, authorities here said round-the-clock surveillance was being maintained at all venues to check breeding while athletes will be given mosquito nets and repellents to keep the vector-borne disease away.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which is facing flak over the rapid increase in the number of dengue cases, insists that its workers are "on the job" to check breeding at all the Games venues and the situation will be brought under control.

Amid reports that 24 countries had sought information from India about the dengue outbreak here especially in view of the October sporting event, MCD health department officials said a "scare" should not be made out.

"Dengue is occurring in over 100 countries. We are making more of a scare here. It is prevalent in many south-east Asian nations but there was no dearth of international tourists there," MCD health officer NK Yadav said.

"MCD workers are on the job. They are undertaking special checking at all Games stadia," mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney said. Another senior MCD official also said that round-the-clock surveillance is being maintained at all sports venues.

Sources in the games organising committee said that the MCD and the Pest Control of India have been working to sanitise the Games Village from June itself.

"Mosquito repellents, nets and all other precautionary devices will also be given to the athletes," a source said.

The MCD maintained that cooperation from the community has an important role to play to combat the disease, the cases of which are nearing 1100 in the city.

"About 10-11% mosquito breeding occurs in houses, office complexes. Community participation has an important role to play. Without this, it will not be possible to prevent the spread of the disease," Yadav said.

Admitting that the dengue cases have risen alarmingly this season, he blames it on unprecedented rains and water stagnation in Games construction sites as well as in colonies where civic amenities are lacking.

"We had started health education campaign for the community in February-March itself. 3500 domestic breeding checkers have been engaged, 12 rapid response teams have been set up to look into deficiencies and contain mosquitoes. We have given advertisements in newspapers, through FM radio, LED screens in some metro stations," he said.