ICC WI 2007 Inc. Managing Director and CEO, Chris Dehring, speaking at an ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 press conference at the Hilton hotel recently. At centre is Kenneth Gordon, ICC/WI Inc. chairman, and at right, Percy Sonn, ICC president. - Junior Dowie / Staff Photographer

The organisers of ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 are keeping a close eye on the malaria outbreak in sections of Jamaica ahead of next year's Cricket World Cup, according to Chris Dehring, the organisation's managing director and chief executive officer.

Mr. Dehring told The Gleaner yesterday that, while there is no need to be alarmed at this point, Jamaica may lose matches if the authorities fail to bring the problem under control.

"There is no threat at this particular moment since we are still three months away, but we will continue to monitor it and, if Jamaica becomes a health risk for teams and visitors, we will have to take appropriate actions," Mr. Dehring said.

Some 100,000 visitors are expected to flock to the region for cricket's showpiece event starting March. Jamaica, where the opening ceremony will be held at a cost of US$7 million, is expected to attract many of these visitors. Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Ken Baugh, said on Tuesday that Cricket World Cup 2007 could suffer if the disease is not contained.

If Jamaica is declared a health risk, Mr. Dehring said Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 can take steps such as imposing restrictions at airports and at the grounds, and even moving the matches to other locations. Monitoring closely

"We are monitoring the situation closely. We have a medical and health directorate that is monitoring the situation and we will continue to monitor it and hope that it gets under control," Mr. Dehring said.

The head of the medical and health directorate is Marion Bullock-DuCasse, director of emergency services in the Ministry of Health.

A disease surveillance protocol prepared for Cricket World Cup 2007 states that between January 21 and May 19 next year, public health surveillance systems will be activated in regional countries. The aim is to detect outbreaks and mitigate against long-term importation of diseases which are not endemic to the region.