Goa steps up dengue, malaria prevention ahead of monsoon

Panaji:With unseasonal showers expected ahead of the monsoon, the directorate of health services has sent out detailed advisories to all departments to prevent mosquito breeding. They have been instructed to report any fever or suspected dengue cases to the nearest health centre.Last year, dengue claimed three lives, including two minors.A detailed SOP has been sent to Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTCL), which reported dengue cases at its Porvorim depot last year, and to the registrar of cooperative societies to circulate to all housing societies. The advisory to the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has instructed the area/field manager of each IDC to inform each unit owner about preventive measures and appoint a nodal officer for weekly surveillance.A detailed advisory has been issued to the Captain of Ports and the directorate of fisheries to screen fishermen and migrant workers for malaria. Local bodies have also been asked to cooperate with the health department by providing garbage trucks and labour during source reduction drives to ensure immediate disposal of waste that could become potential mosquito breeding sites.The health department has asked each department to appoint a nodal officer to check compliance. “We don’t want a repeat of last year,” said the deputy director and chief medical officer in charge of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme at DHS, Kalpana Mahatme. “We are arranging workshops for all nodal officers so they understand their role in preventing the spread of dengue and malaria within their jurisdiction,” she said.Goa reported 29 dengue cases from Jan to April this year, compared to 95 cases last year. All six cases in April were from North Goa— two in Mapusa and one each in Pernem, Candolim, Aldona, and Siolim. “We are concentrating on areas of dengue cases last year. We have mapped them and are carrying out source reduction drives, preventing potential mosquito breeding sites,” she said, adding that health centres have been instructed to educate people about the warning signs of dengue and malaria to ensure timely reporting and treatment of fever cases.