MARGAO
With Goa figuring in the 29 dengue endemic states and Union Territories in the country, Health Services has sought community participation in the battle against dengue by taking simple measures to stop the dengue mosquito breeding.
Launching a programme on the theme “Harness partnership to defeat dengue” on National Dengue Day on Tuesday, health officials said half the work in controlling dengue will be achieved if citizens take simple steps to prevent water stagnation inside their homes.
Take note, dengue cases showed a decline in Goa last year compared to 2021, but the influx of people into the State from states such as Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, which has a high prevalence of dengue, has called for caution and joint action by the stakeholders, including the active community involvement to keep dengue at bay.
Dishing out statistics at the National Dengue Day celebration here on Tuesday, State programme Officer, National Vector Borne Disease, Kalpana Mahatme pointed out that Goa is considered a dengue endemic State because of the rampant construction activity, unsafe water storage methods, population and birth related movements and travel to the neighbouring states, which has dengue endemic, besides heavy rainfall in the State.
Pointing out that the country registered around 1.83 lakh dengue cases in 2021, resulting in the death of 346 persons, the cases rose to 2.33 lakh cases last year, though there’s been a slight reduction in the deaths, around 303 deaths to be precise.
In Goa, Mahatme pointed out that the number of dengue cases registered in the state is pegged around 649 cases. The cases came down to 443 in 2021, she said, adding that the state has recorded 39 dengue cases in the first four months of the current year. “Goa had recorded a death of a women, who had developed pregnancy complications, but had tested positive for dengue”, she added.
Among the areas which has reported dengue cases in the last two years, includes Margao, Vasco and Cortalim in South Goa and Mapusa, Candolim, Colvale and Aldona in the North .
Mahatme said Goa has not witnessed an upsurge in dengue case this year before May as compared to the corresponding period last year.
Underscoring the need for community participating in the battle against dengue, Mahatme said since the dengue mosquito breeds in fresh stagnant water in and around the house, the households have the responsibility to ensure there’s no room for water stagnation inside the households.
“Our Health workers have been doing wonderful work to keep dengue at bay. But, we cannot expect them to visit each and every house to check water stagnation. If this role is played by the citizens, our workers can be drafted for awareness programme,” she said, adding “Half the work to stop the spread of dengue will be achieved if people cooperate and keep their houses free from stagnant waters.”
Asserting that prevention of breeding is key in the control of dengue, since there is no specific drug or vaccine against dengue, Mahatme said community participation will go a long way in controlling the dengue cases in the state.
Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar promised all assistance to the health department in the battle against dengue. Chairperson of the Commission for Women, Ranjita Pai complimented Margao Urban Health Officer, Dr Succorro Quadros for bringing changes at the health centre.
