England's athletes will face killer fever in Delhi
A killer disease may have athletes pulling out of the Commonwealth Games in India next month. An unusually wet season has raised fears of a mosquito-borne fever that has already taken the lives of three people.
Craig Hunter, the chef de mission of England’s Commonwealth team met with his team to discuss the challenges of travelling to India.
“If there are challenges around some of their mental preparation and they don't have the reassurance they need, they may well not be able to compete to their optimum,” said Hunter. “An athlete is free to withdraw from the team at any point.”
The English team has already had withdrawals from high profile athletes Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, and Victoria Pendleton, and as we near the end of a long season it may take very little for more athletes to decide they need to rest their bodies in preparation for next season.
Safety precautions are being put in place, but mosquitoes are difficult to control at best. The English team has been told to wear long sleeves and long pants, and to use bug repellent. There are also plug-in devices for the athletes to use in their apartments that will kill any mosquitoes that sneak inside.
The common term for the disease is Dengue Fever, and it is extremely painful if contracted. The World Health Organization says that there may be 50 million cases worldwide each year. There have been over 1600 confirmed cases in Delhi so far.
While there is no vaccination for the fever it does have a low mortality rate of about one per cent.
Hunter is confident that Delhi officials will ensure the safety of the athletes and spectators.
"Delhi is full of challenges. They run everything like a wedding and their culture is everything should only be ready when the bride arrives,” said Hunter. “But I think it will be an absolutely spectacular Games and certainly very very unique."
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