New Delhi: The biggest threat delegates and visitors to the upcoming Commonwealth Games may face is not from terrorists but from mosquitoes.
The city is currently reeling under the outbreak of the deadly dengue with officially 322 cases having been reported from various parts of the metropolis, although unofficially the figure is much above 1,000 cases reported thus far this season.
With incessant rains continuing and the capital being full of ditches dug up for construction related projects, the Aedes mosquitoes which spread dengue are enjoying the perfect breeding ground.
Games imminent
What is worrying the authorities is that Aedes mosquitoes normally have a life-span of 45 days. Since there are no signs of monsoon withdrawing from the national capital in the immediate future, Aedes mosquitoes may still be flying around by the start of the Games — just 44 days away.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has already cancelled leave of its entire health department staff after a sudden outbreak which has seen 48 confirmed cases being reported during the past 48 hours.
Even if the official figure, which allegedly has been fudged to conceal the ground reality, is to be believed, 132 dengue cases have been reported during the past two weeks alone.
"So far there is only one confirmed death due to dengue. We are trying our best to control spread of the disease," MCD commissioner K.S. Mehra said.
The MCD is blaming the delayed Commonwealth Games projects and callousness of individuals and institutions for the sudden increase in dengue cases. It has already issued 136 notices to several government organisations and educational institutes for not adhering to the prescribed norms and allowing the breeding of mosquitoes.
Council instructions
MCD and NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) as a routine instruct all individuals and institutions not to allow water to accumulate, clean water coolers and cover overhead tanks properly, which is rarely adhered to.
A survey carried out by a local newspaper in just 12 hospitals revealed the total number of dengue cases reported to them as 1,131. Delhi has over 1,000 hospitals and patients often visit private clinics for treatment, which are not counted.
What worries organisers of the Games is suggestions by doctors that Indians, used to living with mosquitoes, have far greater resistance to dengue than foreigners.
Authorities are expecting over a hundred thousand overseas visitors to witness the games besides thousands of athletes and officials.
