the goan I network
VASCO
A man from Vasco expired from suspected dengue, sparking off alarm in the vicinity. This is the third fatality from suspected dengue in the port town in the past few months.
Sources said a 55-year-old taxi driver had complained of high fever on Friday morning and was taken to a private clinic, where he was advised to immediately take a blood test to check for dengue.
“The tests taken showed signs of suspected dengue and he was rushed to the Chicalim Sub District hospital. The person was in the Sub District Hospital for two days and his blood platellet count was also being monitored.”
“However, the counts started dropping and after two days, doctors at the Chicalim hospital said he would have to be rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim.”
“He, however, expired at the GMC hospital on Monday. GMC doctors said the suspected dengue had affected his brains and lungs, resulting in his death,” said the source.
Residents have urged the Vasco Urban Health Centre to immediately take up steps to check for mosquito breeding sites and to carry out fumigation of the area.
When contacted, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Ward councillor Yatin Kamurlekar, he said he was unsure if dengue was the reason for the man’s death.
“I have to cross-check to know the exact reason because there has been some incorrect information being spread.”
“A few days ago, a six-year-old had died and while people and some media reports said it was dengue, the actual reason was hemorrhagic fever.”
“I have recently conducted fumigation of the entire ward. I am not sure if this was dengue that led to the death of this man. I will, however, approach the Vasco Urban Health Centre and request them to carry out an awareness drive, so that people can adopt measures to avoid dengue,” said Kamurlekar.
