Dengue threat looms large over Games

The threat of dengue will loom large even when the national capital will host the Commonwealth Games as officials say that the cases of the disease will continue to see an upward trend till the end of October.

"Dengue cases will continue to increase till the end of October," MCD health official NK Yadav said when asked about the precautions being taken by the civic body to curb dengue cases during the Games from October 3 to 14.

Yadav said this trend is attributed to the monsoon which usually continues till October.

Though dengue cases reported at this time of the year was more in comparison to the corresponding period last year, Yadav felt "Commonwealth Games construction work and increased surveillance" are also the reasons for the rise in number of cases reported this season.

Meanwhile, 17 people tested positive for dengue fever since yesterday, taking the total count of people affected by the virus to 157.

Of these, 102 cases have been reported from MCD areas, followed by 32 cases in NDMC areas and the remaining from outside the state.

"We are trying our level best to control dengue cases. We have increased fogging exercises, issued challans to many residents and organisations for breeding of mosquitoes in their premises," Yadav said.