Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) president Judy Simons remains upbeat that the outbreak of a viral fever in Delhi, India, will be under control before the Island's team leaves for the Commonwealth Games.

Dengue fever – which spreads through mosquito bites, and can be life-threatening – is on the rise with 1,580 cases, four leading to death according to a report realeased yesterday.

Ten Bermuda athletes, plus team officials, are scheduled to travel Delhi later this month.

However, Simons is confident that the central and the Delhi state governments were doing their best to restrain the fever outbreak.

"We're happy with the reports we're hearing, they seem to have it under control. Dehli is very much aware of the concerns within Commonwealth and from what we understand they're doing everything in their power to ensure this concern is being addressed," said Simons, who will be among Bermuda's travelling continent.

Over the next week Bermuda's chef de mission, Stanley Douglas, will be briefing Bermuda's athletes and team managers of the challenges they are likely to face in Delhi, Simons said.

"I feel comfortable that we're doing everything right to ensure our athletes will be well looked after and are able to take care of themselves.

"Obviously over the next week will be meeting with our team managers and advising them on how to deal with conditions while we're in Delhi in every aspect, not just dengue fever."

The severity of the dengue outbreak is blamed on the Games, which has led to many half-finished construction projects across the city. Debris from some sites has clogged storm sewers leading to floods that created breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Water from particularly heavy monsoon rains has also pooled in the rubble at many construction sites.

Athletes from Australia and New Zealand have expressed concerns about attending the Games amid the dengue outbreak.

However, India's Health Secretary, Sujatha Rao said the strain of dengue hitting in New Delhi was "quite benign."

"The present strain is known to cause a large number of dengue cases, but few deaths," Rao said.

Dengue symptoms include high fever, joint pain, headache and vomiting. It is fatal in rare cases. India's annual outbreak normally dies off with the end of the mosquito breeding period in November.

Yesterday, municipal teams inspected many of the Games venues to check for mosquitoes before the first athletes arrive next week.

At the main Commonwealth Games Village, scores of civic workers, some wearing masks, fogged and sprayed pesticides around a huge lake that has suddenly sprung up following the monsoon rains.

The lead-up to the Games has also been marred by terrorist concerns, delays and claims of corruption and shoddy construction.

But Indian Sports Minister, Manohar Singh Gill, yesterday sought to reassure all athletes.

"I want to say to all the sportspersons – come to Delhi, come in full confidence. The health and security situation will be under full control," Gill said.

"I want to say this is your one chance to see the 'Incredible India' at India's cost. Don't miss the fun."

The Games, which run from October 3-14, have also been hit with several high profile withdrawals, including three-time World and Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt and Kenya's David Rudisha, who broke the 800 metres world record twice last month.

Bermuda's team is made up of sprinter Tre Houston, long jumper Tyrone Smith, squash player Nick Kyme, swimmers Kiera Aitken, Nick Thomson and Roy Allan Burch, and two shooters, Ross Roberts and Karl Reid. Two tennis players, believed to be Gavin Manders and Jackie Lambert, will also compete at the Games, although their participation has yet to be confirmed.