Dengue threat may hit tourist influx

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While grappling with corruption allegations and never-ending construction deadlines, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and the Delhi government are now battling with the dengue crisis at many Games sites. However, the Delhi government has a solution: the civic agencies will now put dengue larvae eating fish “Gambusia” in areas where water is logged near the Games sites.
The decision has been taken after a MCD report found mosquito larvae from the water logged near the major Games sites, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will host the opening and the closing ceremonies. A senior Delhi government official on Tuesday said that the civic agencies are working hard to handle the dengue crisis. “We are taking all possible precautions against the dengue-spreading mosquitoes. In one of the steps, we might put Gambusia fish in the areas where water is logged.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi government officials on Tuesday also confirmed that following the MCD dengue report on the Games sites, Games Federation Committees of some participating nations have issued warnings to the athletes, technicians, delegates and tourists who are likely to visit Delhi during the Games. While, confessing that the warnings have been issued in Malaysia, UK, Australia and New-Zealand, a senior Delhi government official said that there is a fear that these warnings will hit tourism badly during the Games.
An outbreak of dengue fever in New Delhi has led over a 1,000 people to seek hospital care since July. At least, three people have died so far due to dengue since the outbreak. The October 3-14 Games, already mired in severe delays and corruption allegations, will bring together 8,000 athletes and officials from various nations.
Meanwhile, Delhi health minister, Kiran Walia said on Tuesday, “The city government had ordered municipal authorities to spray anti-mosquito repellent “in and around” all the Games venues.