(REUTERS) – Athletes should not let the outbreak of dengue fever or security concerns ruin their experience at next month’s Commonwealth Games, according to Indian Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill. Gill said the central and the Delhi state governments were doing their best to control the fever outbreak, which has so far claimed three lives since June.
“I want to say to all the sportspersons — come to Delhi, come in full confidence. The health and security situation will be under full control,” Gill said.
“I want to say this is your one chance to see the ‘Incredible India’ at India’s cost. Don’t miss the fun,” he said, borrowing the tourism industry’s catchphrase.
While the organisers of the October 3-14 Games have, by and large, managed to convince participating nations about the security arrangements, the outbreak of dengue fever has come as a fresh headache for them.
Since June, nearly 1 600 dengue cases have been reported and the number is rising every day.
More than 3 000 workers contracted to monitor the spread of the disease were on strike seeking regularisation by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi before returning to work on Thursday.
Even the water body at the Games village was found breeding mosquitoes, prompting the organisers to double the number of hand-operated fogging machines in the area and releasing the mosquito-eating gambusia fish there.
The Games has also been hit with several high-profile withdrawals, including multiple Olympic champion Usain Bolt and Kenya’s David Rudisha, who broke the 800 metres world record twice last month.