MARGAO
Dengue has raised its ugly head again at the Cutbona jetty -- Goa’s largest fishing hub -- triggering a scare and anxiety amongst local residents.
As many as six persons, mostly migrants employed as crew members on the mechanized fishing vessels have tested positive for dengue. The workers have been admitted at the Balli Primary Health Centre. One of the workers has been discharged from the health care centre while others are still undergoing treatment.
The return of dengue after a gap of a decade has caused panic and anxiety amongst the local residents of the fishing village. Unlike the past, dengue is presently restricted at the fishing jetty and has not spread to the adjoining residential area.
Since the Cutbona fishing jetty comes under the Balli health centre, health officials have launched a massive operation at the jetty to check breeding sites and to ensure that the disease does not spread to the nearby residential locality.
Given the limited manpower resources at its disposal, the Balli Primary Health Officer Dr Benedita Dias sent an SOS to the Margao Urban Health office, requisitioning the urban health team to join in the massive operation executed at the jetty earlier this week.
Dr Dias has confirmed that six cases of dengue have been detected amongst the fishing crew members of two vessels. She, however, hastened to add that the situation is under control with the health team closely monitoring and maintaining vigil at the jetty. “As you know, migrant workers are found in large numbers at the jetty. We carry out screening of the workers upon their arrival at the jetty. The health team is maintaining vigil so that dengue does not spread in the locality”, she said.
Dr Dias said fisheries officials also joined in the anti-larvae operation at the jetty, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Directorate of Fisheries.
Velim Sarpanch Veena Cardozo, who represents the Cutbona ward, said dengue cases have been detected at the fishing jetty right now. “So far, no dengue case has been reported from the adjoining residential locality. The health team has been in touch with the panchayat. They have carried out drive to check breeding sites in the locality too”, she said.
