Concerned over rise in dengue cases, Delhi Govt on Monday directed its Health department and MCD to take all possible measures to control spread of the disease before commencement of Commonwealth Games in October.

Health Minister Kiran Walia, expressing concern over the rising number of dengue cases, said MCD and Health department have been told to take all measures required to check the disease.

Dengue cases continued to rise in the city as 20 more people tested positive for the virus today taking the count of people effected by the disease to 254.

As the threat of dengue looms large around Games venues where construction activities are on, she said Government has appointed a task force to control the disease.

The task force comprises officials from both Delhi Government and the MCD.

Asked about reports that Australian Commonwealth Games Association keeping ready a container-load of mosquito repellents to be used by its athletes if required during the mega event in New Delhi, Walia only said the city government was not facing any scarcity of mosquito repellent.

“I am monitoring the situation very closely. The task force has been asked to coordinate among various agencies and suggest measures to check spread of the disease,” she said after a meeting with top officials of her department and MCD.

A senior MCD health official had said that number of dengue cases at this time of the year was more in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

Admitting that construction activities in the city may be a reason for rise in dengue cases, Walia said Principal Secretary (Health) Rajendra Kumar has also been told to coordinate efforts to control the disease.

Walia also appealed to citizens to keep their households clean and ensure that water does not accumulate in their surroundingsv