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Disease threat at Delhi Commonwealth Games site
By Sunil Raman
BBC News, Delhi
India's Commonwealth Games village in Delhi is being threatened by dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes which are breeding in a nearby swamp.
Experts say the threat has been made worse because about 3,000 Delhi fumigators - who normally would deal with the problem - are on strike.
Delhi's health minister has asked for army expertise to help drain water from the swamp, close to the River Yamuna.
Athletes are due to arrive for the start of the games in a fortnight.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that causes severe head, muscle and joint pains.
The games have been plagued by allegations of corruption, missed deadlines, leaky buildings and poorly-paid labourers.
Meanwhile seven Indian athletes selected for the games face lengthy bans after "B" samples of their failed dope tests also returned positive, officials say.
Four wrestlers, a shot-putter and two swimmers - who were all part of India's games squad - tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a banned stimulant used widely as a nasal decongestant.
Stagnant pools
The strike by Delhi Municipal Corporation workers has meant that games organisers have had to turn to the army and private contractors to tackle the mosquito menace.
The fumigators are demanding permanent jobs and higher wages at a time when 1,500 people have been admitted to hospitals with dengue fever
Athletes are being housed in high-rise apartment buildings built on the flood plain of the river.
After copious monsoon rains, the level of the river has risen, producing numerous stagnant pools of water which are ideal habitats for mosquitoes.
The problem could get even worse because the neighbouring state of Haryana has released huge quantities of water into the Yamuna to prevent flooding. It is due to reach Delhi by Friday.
BBC News - Disease threat at Delhi Commonwealth Games site
By Sunil Raman
BBC News, Delhi
India's Commonwealth Games village in Delhi is being threatened by dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes which are breeding in a nearby swamp.
Experts say the threat has been made worse because about 3,000 Delhi fumigators - who normally would deal with the problem - are on strike.
Delhi's health minister has asked for army expertise to help drain water from the swamp, close to the River Yamuna.
Athletes are due to arrive for the start of the games in a fortnight.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that causes severe head, muscle and joint pains.
The games have been plagued by allegations of corruption, missed deadlines, leaky buildings and poorly-paid labourers.
Meanwhile seven Indian athletes selected for the games face lengthy bans after "B" samples of their failed dope tests also returned positive, officials say.
Four wrestlers, a shot-putter and two swimmers - who were all part of India's games squad - tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a banned stimulant used widely as a nasal decongestant.
Stagnant pools
The strike by Delhi Municipal Corporation workers has meant that games organisers have had to turn to the army and private contractors to tackle the mosquito menace.
The fumigators are demanding permanent jobs and higher wages at a time when 1,500 people have been admitted to hospitals with dengue fever
Athletes are being housed in high-rise apartment buildings built on the flood plain of the river.
After copious monsoon rains, the level of the river has risen, producing numerous stagnant pools of water which are ideal habitats for mosquitoes.
The problem could get even worse because the neighbouring state of Haryana has released huge quantities of water into the Yamuna to prevent flooding. It is due to reach Delhi by Friday.
BBC News - Disease threat at Delhi Commonwealth Games site
