A worker seen cleaning the bushes around the Sulabh toilet block at the Cutbona fisheries complex. Captured by : The Goan
MARGAO
The number of Cholera cases reported at the Cutbona fishing jetty and the Mobor fish landing centre has crossed the 160-figure mark.
No more deaths have been reported, with the tally of deaths pegged at five so far, but around nine fresh cases have been detected at the Cutbona fishing jetty, taking the number of affected migrant workers to 160 till date. Around 15 migrant workers are convalescing at the South Goa district hospital.
Health officials informed that efforts are underway to contain the spread of the disease amongst the migrant workers employed at the two fishing jetties. State Epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar informed that the health workers are on the job to contain the spread of cholera at the two fishing jetties.
“Right now, the number of cholera cases reported from Cutbona jetty and the Mobor fishing landing centre is 160. We are closely monitoring the situation. Since the disease spreads very fast in crowded areas, health workers are on the job spreading awareness amongst the migrant workers at the two fish landing centres to observe hygiene and sanitation,” Dr Betodkar said.
He added: “We cannot say at this point whether the situation has improved or not. Our main focus is to contain the further spread of the disease. Cases, no doubt, showed signs of coming down, but there cannot be any complacency. And, there have been no more deaths after the initial five deaths reported from Cutbona and Mobor. But we have to remain alert as the cases might just shoot up again."
The State Epidemiologist said directions have been issued to various departments, including the health officials how to go about the task of ensuring hygiene and sanitation amongst the migrant workers to stop the further spread of the disease.
Dr Betodkar appealed to the boat owners to ensure that workers suffering from fever and diarrhoea were immediately referred to the hospital for treatment. “The deaths have primarily taken place after the workers were brought late to the hospital. Some of them were brought dead to the hospital,” he added.
Meanwhile, as part of efforts to ensure hygiene amongst the migrant workers, liquid soap dispensers have made their presence felt at the Sulabh toilet block. The provision for liquid soap dispensers was suggested during the joint inspection of the Cutbona fishing jetty with the government agencies.
That’s not all. As the surroundings at the Sulabh toilet block were not found environment-friendly during the site inspections, workers were on the job to clear up the entire area.
