Indian capital has recorded 743 dengue cases so far, the city government said Friday.

Indo-Asian News Service quoted D.S. Negi, health secretary of Delhi government, as saying that 70 more dengue cases have been confirmed since Thursday morning.

Indian Health Minister Anbumoni Ramadoss told local media Thursday that the number of dengue cases in the country has reached up to 3,000 and Delhi, the worst hit, has recorded 17 deaths.

In 2005, nearly 12,000 people were affected by dengue across the country and the death toll was 157. This year, over 40 people have succumbed to the disease so far.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), having quite a few dengue cases including doctors and medical students, has postponed the examinations and canceled regular classes till Oct. 25.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two grandsons and his son-in-law are also in AIIMS with suspected dengue.

"The preliminary tests conducted on three of them have tested positive for dengue but the final report will take some time to come. They are recovering well and may be discharged tomorrow," said Shakti Gupta, chief spokesman of AIIMS.

(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2006)