Hooper denies issuing advisory on dengue

New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) Commonwealth Games Federation CEO
Mike Hooper Thursday denied issuing any advisory to
participating CWG countries about a possible outbreak of
dengue here and said he merely sent a report on the basis of
what CGF Chief Michael Fennell observed during his visit last
month.
"We have not issued any kind of advisory to Commonwealth
countries regarding dengue disease in the capital. I have also
not written to the Organising Committee. It was just a report
which has been sent to participating nations on the basis of
Mr Fennell's recent visits to the stadiums," Hooper told PTI.
Hooper, however, said Fennell had brought to the notice
of the Indian authorities that "dengue was an issue which
needs attention".
"He (Fennell) saw rainwater pooling in open construction
sites which results in an ideal breeding site for mosquitoes.
He advised the concerned people that dengue is an issue which
needs regular attention," Hooper said.
"In the city of 16-17 million people, it's a seasonal
disease which happens in the monsoon time. It's a seasonal
disease but at the same time we need to take precautions to
minimise any exposure," he said.
The CGF Chief Executive lashed out at the media for
playing up the dengue disease issue at the national capital.
"Some section of the media has this habit of cooking up a
story to raise their TRPs. They make the stuff on their own.
Reality is Mr Fennell visited all the venues on August 18-19,"
he said.
Hooper said that Organising Committee Chief Medical
Officer Bhartinder Singh was in constant touch with him on the
issue and they were doing everything possible to mitigate the
possible effects of the disease.
"You need regular fogging, clean surroundings near
competition and non-competition venues. You need to avoid
water-logging. We all are focussed towards the Games and all
the issues concern us. We are clear in our approach," he said.
More than 1000 cases of dengue have been reported in the
national capital so far this year. PTI SHN
MYR