The team had been preparing for next month's International Hockey Federation Men's Junior World Cup on home soil in Bhubaneswar, with athletes from other sports also present at the SAI site.

However, The Indian Express reported that as many as 50 of the approximately 200 athletes training in Bengaluru displayed symptoms of fever and weakness within the last two weeks, and that five of these have tested positive for dengue.

The four hockey players were treated at the SAI campus, while the fifth individual - a track and field athlete - was hospitalised as a "precautionary measure."

As per the report, the head of the SAI Bengaluru centre Ritu Pathik denied suggestions that closer to a dozen hockey players had in fact tested positive, and said the affected athletes are now "doing well."

"Because of heavy rainfall here, we have had around 40-50 trainees who have reported fever and weakness in the last two weeks," she said.

"Out of them, five tested positive for dengue.

"They are all doing well now and we are taking all preventive measures, including fumigation."

Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitos.

It usually causes mild symptoms for around one week including a high temperature, although in rare instances can be serious and even life threatening.

It is not spread from person to person.

The players were all unnamed, but the outbreak appears to have seen the planned tour of South Africa put on hold, according to The Indian Express.

insidethegames has approached Hockey India for a comment.

India are the reigning Men's Junior World Cup champions, triumphing in the final against Belgium as they hosted the 2016 edition in Lucknow.

This year's tournament is scheduled to be held from November 24 to December 5, with the Kalinga Stadium - which staged the Men's World Cup in 2018 - hosting matches.

England have withdrawn from the competition due to "a number of COVID-related concerns" including a 10-day quarantine upon arrival in India.

Australia and New Zealand also pulled out of the event because of travel restrictions.

They were replaced by the United States and Canada, but no country has taken England's place as of yet, meaning the Men's Junior World Cup is currently running a team short from its usual 16.