Canadian swimmer returns from Commonwealth Games with dengue fever

Canadian swimmer Annamay Pierse has confirmed she contracted dengue fever at the Common wealth Games in New Delhi earlier this month."It was confirmed today that the disease incurred following my return from the Common wealth Games in India was in fact dengue fever," Pierse said Friday in a statement. "I'm thankful for all of the continued help offered from our medical team and I'm confident that I will recover quickly."

Pierse and her doctors had been awaiting test results to confirm the diagnosis after she came down with symptoms that are reliable with dengue. Those symptoms include a high fever, bone and joint pain, rash and fatigue. Stagnant water left over from heavy monsoons helped contribute to one of the worst dengue outbreaks in New Delhi in four years.More than 3,400 cases were reported and at least seven people died from the disease, which is contracted through mosquito bites.

Pierse said she hopes to be recovered in time for the world short-course championships in December in Dubai."I look forward to being there with my teammates, full form, as a strong competitor," Pierse said. The 26-year-old Edmonton native who now lives in Vancouver is the world record holder in the 200-metre breaststroke. She finished fifth in the event at the Games. The news comes a day after Navin Prasad, the chief medical officer for the Canadian team at the Games, confirmed that another athlete has come down with typhoid fever.