Indian missions concerned over dengue in Delhi before CWG

Contending that widespread digging due to Games related construction in the capital and the heavy rains have led to the outbreak of dengue, Health Secretary Sujatha Rao said, "there were concerns expressed by Indian missions abroad to control and check the situation".

Rao said the dengue situation in the capital was one of concern and that "it was an epidemic".

Dengue peaks every four years, she said adding "this year it has coincided with very good monsoon and widespread digging activity due to Commonwealth Games".

The secretary, however, said that the type of dengue virus in circulation this season was not fatal which is evident by only three deaths being reported out of the over 900 cases so far.

"It is (dengue) difficult to control and people have to take proper safeguards," she said adding that she has held meetings with private hospitals to coordinate in the controlling efforts.

The dengue cases in the national capital reached 916 today.