MARGAO
Dengue has come back to haunt the residents of Cutbona fishing ward as the disease has raised its ugly head again with a number of cases being detected in the locality in the last few days.
What’s worrying is the fact that around 12 local Cutbona residents, including a couple of youngsters have been affected by dengue in the last one month, indicating that dengue has come back to haunt the fishing hamlet which had witnessed spread of the disease in the area around half a decade ago.
Velim panch member Veena Cardozo, representing Cutbona ward, said the Balli Primary Health Centre has carried out fogging and spraying in and around the Cutbona fishing jetty in the last few days. She said the health officials have spread awareness amongst the local populace as well as the migrant workers employed on the fishing vessels.
“During the drive, the health team had ensured there’s no breeding of mosquitoes in the small boats. They had undertaken fogging and spraying operations in the area,” she said.
The Velim Panchayat member, however, demanded that the Fisheries department should immediately intervene and ensure the upkeep and maintenance of the Cutbona fishing jetty. “The fisheries officials should also shoulder its responsibility to maintain cleanliness and upkeep of the jetty. Water-logging on the roads due to loading of ice has been addressed by the department before the situation goes out of control,” Veena added.
When The Goan contacted Balli Primary Health Officer Dr Mamata Kakodkar to shed light on the dengue situation at Cutbona, she said the Health department is closely monitoring the situation. She has confirmed that cases of dengue has been reported from Cutbona, following which the health teams had conducted preventive measures in and around the Cutbona fishing jetty.
“Like other places, dengue also raised its ugly head in and around Cutbona jetty. Both the migrant crew employed on the fishing vessels and the local residents have been affected by dengue. We have taken a number of measures, including fogging and spraying in the area,” Dr Kakodkar said, adding the health team is closely monitoring the situation.
