PANAJI
Ahead of the high transmission monsoon and post monsoon season, the leadership in the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has decided to tweak strategy a bit and keep a hawk-eyed watch on the dengue situation in at least half-a-dozen vulnerable hot-spots across the State.
In some of these hotspots like Zuarinagar-Sancoale and parts of the Mormugao port city, besides Candolim-Calangute and Chimbel, the DHS teams are already working on the strategy which involves mapping every confirmed as well as 'suspected cases' and following up on treatment.
Additionally, the DHS teams in these hotspots will also visit localities where cases are detected and check for potential mosquito breeding sites and also create awareness among neighbours on the do's and don'ts related to dengue prevention.
"We are enlisting the support of local bodies, panchayats and municipalities in the campaign. They have been helping us by providing us manpower. Local representatives are also assisting in holding awareness activities,' said Dr Kalpana Mahatme.
Mahatme, who heads the DHS's cell responsible for the National Vector-borne Disease Control Programme, said some crucial do's and don'ts at the house-hold level must be followed meticulously if dengue is to be eliminated.
"Just empty anything that holds water in your house every week. Whether it's water-storage tanks, buckets, money-plant vases or dishes kept under vases to prevent leaking water from messing up the floor, all need to be emptied of the water before the seventh day," she said.
Mahatme also advocates local communities joining the fight against dengue and must keep a tab on accumulation of water in troughs in courtyards and also articles such as discarded containers, tyres, etc,
"Mosquito breeds in such accumulated water. Local communities (people) must take the onus to rid their surroundings of such potential breeding sites," Mahatme said.
In semi-urban and rural areas where water supply is erratic and people tend to keep barrels to store water they must ensure these are completely emptied every seventh day.
Over the last two-three years, Goa has been witnessing a steady rise in dengue numbers including a handful of deaths due to the disease.
In the latter half of May, an unexplained surge in cases was reported and concerns raised by the citizenry of Canacona. DHS sources however said that it prima-facie points to movement of people from the neighbouring Karnataka State, large parts of which are endemic, appears to be behind the surge.
