the goan I network
VASCO
The dreaded dengue disease is suspected to have claimed a fourth life, a 36-year-old woman from Vasco, who breathed her last late Sunday night.
This is the fourth fatal case linked to dengue in the port town since July.
According to sources, the woman had complained of high fever and vomiting on Wednesday morning after which she was rushed to a private clinic.
“Her blood tests showed signs of suspected dengue and she was rushed to the Chicalim Sub District hospital on Thursday. She was given IV fluids and as her blood platelet count began dropping, she was referred to the GMC on Friday,” informed a source.
“Her condition turned critical and she expired at the GMC hospital late Sunday night,” said the source.
Residents in the area, who were stunned to learn about the woman’s death, have urged the Vasco Urban Health Centre to immediately take steps to check for mosquito breeding sites and to carry out fumigation of the area.
When contacted, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) ward councillor Rochana Borkar said she was unsure if dengue was the exact reason for the woman’s death.
“I have to cross-check to know the exact reason because she was out of station some days ago and upon her return on Wednesday, she had complained of uneasiness and fever.”
Commenting on demands for fumigation, Borkar said, “The UHC had recently conducted fumigation of some parts of the ward. It had also conducted an awareness drive after breeding sites of dengue mosquitoes were found in some areas.”
“We have since then appealed to the MMC and the UHC to fumigate other parts of the ward, but, to date, there has been no response. The MMC Chief officer had also assured that fumigation would be conducted in all wards, but, sadly, this has not been done. A life is lost. It is sad because she left behind a four-year-old son,” said Borkar.
“There should be no politics in such matters. Whether ruling or opposition areas, fumigation and spraying of medicines must be carried out by the MMC and the UHC across the city because lives are being claimed by this dreaded disease.”
“I will approach the Vasco Urban Health Centre once again and request them to carry out an awareness drive and fumigation so that people can adopt measures to avoid dengue and there is no further loss of lives,” Borkar added.
It may be recalled that a 38-year-old man from Vaddem had died of suspected dengue in July, followed by the death of a 22-year-old man from Voddant in August. Earlier this month, a taxi driver from Shantinagar had also died of suspected dengue.
