Margao: The Margao urban health centre (UHC) had started work on its national vector-borne disease control programme for control and spread of malaria and dengue as early as January this year, taking a cue from the increase in cases last year.
As a means to ensure that measures are taken before an increase in dengue cases like last year, the UHC had started work on curbing the spread of vector-borne diseases of malaria and dengue by taking up distribution of mosquito nets as well as creating awareness and conducting inspections.
Speaking to this daily, UHC health officer Dr Anju Karangate said that as many as 4,500 mosquito nets were distributed around Margao and Fatorda.
“Our work on vector-borne diseases began in January this year. We received and distributed 4,500 mosquito nets to people in and around Margao and Fatorda. In addition, we have also been taking up regular awareness programmes, checking on possible breeding sites for mosquitoes, conducting house-to-house visits, checking overhead water tanks, distributing pamphlets and more recently we have distributed around 200 LLIN (Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets) especially to antenatal women, construction workers and in slum areas,” she said.
The coronavirus lockdown may have also helped in their efforts as the number of cases stands at one for malaria and none for dengue so far. Ten teams have since January covered the areas of Aquem, Malbhat, Khareband, Borda and other areas of Margao and Fatorda.
Dr Karangate said maybe due to the lockdown, the number of breeding sites was low as construction sites were shut down and people were inside their homes.
Precaution has also been taken by covering possible areas of breeding sites. Dr Karangate said that construction sites, scrap yards and abandoned vehicles have been at the centre of the UHC’s disease prevention plans.
“We have also sent letters to 25 scrap yards in and around Margao to cover up any possible items or sites that could become breeding grounds. We have also made a list of all the abandoned vehicles with a photo and location which with the help of police and municipality so as to take action, either to remove or cover them up,” she said.
Migrants living at the shelter complex in Navelim were also screened for malaria and dengue, said the health official adding their tests were also done to ensure they were not positive for malaria or dengue.
Last year, the state had witnessed a drop in the number of malaria cases but saw a drastic rise in dengue cases. In 2019, the state registered 726 dengue cases and 272 malaria cases while in 2018, the numbers stood at 335 dengue cases and 377 malaria cases.