PANAJI
Goa reported 49 confirmed dengue cases in August, with South Goa accounting for 46 and North Goa just three, according to official data. The number of suspected cases has also remained alarmingly high, touching 886 across the State.
Of the suspected cases, 541 were reported from South Goa and 345 from North Goa, reinforcing concerns that the vector-borne disease is spreading across several regions during the monsoon season.
The latest figures come a month after health authorities reported only seven confirmed dengue cases in July, all from South Goa. However, even then, suspected cases had surged to 882, indicating a far wider footprint of the disease than the confirmed numbers suggested.
The spectre of dengue had already begun to raise concerns after clusters were reported in key institutions in July when several police personnel at the Margao police station were affected and multiple fire service personnel in Porvorim had also tested positive.
But health officials consistently maintain that the situation is not yet alarming, and point out that a majority of cases remain in the suspect category pending confirmation through lab tests.
Authorities continue to stress vigilance and source reduction measures. Stagnant water at construction sites, open water storage containers and poor sanitation remain the primary breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The Directorate of Health Services meanwhile has intensified surveillance, fumigation and awareness drives in identified hotspots.
