Malaria cases in Anjuna keeps Siolim PHC on edge

the goan I networkrMAPUSArSiolim and particularly Anjuna village in Bardez taluka has witnessed a sharp rise in vector borne disease in the last one month, while Aldona has reported just one case of malaria. rThe total number of malaria cases, both indigenous and imported, was a whopping 80 for the period of May 26 to June 25 this year in Siolim. rCorrespondingly, only one case of malaria was reported from Aldona Primary Health Centre (PHC), while Colvale PHC reported 13 cases in the same period. rFor the same period, Candolim reported 24 cases while Mapusa Urban Health Centre reported 14 cases of malaria. rNo cases of dengue and chikungunya were reported from any of the centres in Bardez. rIn Siolim out of 80 reported cases of malaria, 17 were indigenous (local cases) while 65 were imported (non Goans), while in Candolim of the total 24 cases, one was indigenous while 23 were imported. None of the cases reported in Aldona and Colvale PHCs were of indigenous nature. In Mapusa, out of 14 reported cases of malaria, two were indigenous while 12 were imported. Mapusa Urban Health Centre in-charge, Dr Anant Palekar said the situation was much better in the city but cautioned that June and July, which are monsoon months was crucial. r“The number of vector borne diseases has reduced in Mapusa. But we have to be careful in the monsoon as June and July are two crucial months when breeding takes place at a fast pace,” Dr Palyekar said. rThe villages of Anjuna and Assagao have become the focal point in Siolim Primary Health Centre which has reported a sudden spurt in malaria cases. rMost of the malaria cases have been reported from Gaunvaddi, Soronto-vaddo and Murdi in Anjuna. Similarly, many cases of malaria have also been reported from Assagao. rThe increasing number of ongoing constructions has been the main reason for the rise in the vector borne disease in Anjuna. r“90 percent of the positive cases belong to the labour class. The presence of large number of labourers at the construction sites is the main cause for the rise in malaria cases,” said Santosh Shetkar, Sanitary Inspector, Siolim PHC. “Secondly, these labourers who are carriers of the disease constantly change their place of residence, making it difficult for us to track them,” he added. rHe said the PHC has been taking preventive measures so also creating awareness among people to discourage breeding of mosquitoes.