Indian hospitals warned against turning away dengue patients

Authorities have threatened to cancel the licenses of private hospitals in the Indian capital if they turn away patients suffering from dengue fever.

New Delhi has been hit by an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease, with more than 11 deaths. Nearly 1,900 cases have been recorded in the city's hospitals.

The families of two schoolboys have said they died after a number of hospitals denied them treatment.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said Wednesday that hospitals should hire more doctors and nurses to cope with the influx of patients.

Dengue outbreaks are reported every year after the monsoon season that runs from June to September. However, this year's outbreak has been described as the worst in five years.