THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO: Despite alerts being sounded out to residents after many dengue cases have been reported in Vasco city, health officials of Vasco Urban Health Centre (UHC) were shocked on Monday afternoon to find a large number of dengue breeding sites at Mestawada-Vasco.
According to sources, dengue breeding sites were found in as many as 75 percent of the houses in the area.
"Water is being stored in open barrels in almost every house. We have found a large number of breeding sites in almost all houses. There had been around 7-8 suspected dengue cases and accordingly, the councillor Rochana Borker had approached the Vasco UHC and we carried out fogging in the area a few days ago,” said the source.
“The councillor had insisted that we personally visit the houses to locate breeding sites, if possible. We were shocked when we saw so many cases where there were breeding sites.”
“We had also engaged students of St Andrew's higher secondary school during the visit. We also wanted to educate the students about methods to prevent dengue.”
“What was worse is that people who have already been detected and cured of suspected dengue also had breeding sites in their houses. We went from Shri Ram Temple to the end of Mestawada area today," said the source.
When contacted, Ward Councillor Rochana Borker admitted that the breeding sites of dengue were found in large numbers during the visit of health officials on Monday.
"A large number of houses had stored water in the open in barrels and some breeding sites were found even in small size containers like cups, empty paint tins, etc.”
“We had met the Vasco UHC after we found rising cases of suspected dengue and they also fogged the area. But we insisted that they create an awareness in the area.”
“We have now made everyone aware of the situation and also emptied water that was found in the open. We have also informed residents to consume water in two days time in case water is stored for drinking purpose so that there is no stagnation and breeding sites are not formed," said Borker.
