Spurt in dengue cases in Madkai and Valpoi

PANAJI: Since the onset of monsoon in June, there has been a steep rise in the number of dengue cases reported at the Madkai primary health centre, in Ponda taluka and Valpoi PHC in Sattari.
As many as 32 dengue cases were reported at Madkai and ten at Valpoi. Hardly any dengue cases were reported in these areas in the past. As many as 68 cases of dengue were reported last month from across the state as against 13 in June 2017.
Dr Anant Palyekar, in-charge of national vector-borne disease control programme, Goa, said though two places witnessed dengue outbreak last month, the situation is now under control.Inspections at the two places showed that aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits dengue virus, was breeding in horticulture plantations there.
Dengue at Sada as residents stored water everywhere
Sprinklers were installed only last year in the plantations and mosquitos were breeding in spots were the water had accumulated among piles of old leaves and discarded coconut shells.
The aedes aegypti mosquito, Palyekar said strikes during the day and targets multiple people, that results in more cases of dengue. Also, in case of the dengue mosquito, transovarian transmission happens. Eggs laid by aedes aegypti mosquito carrying dengue virus, also have the virus, thereby they multiply the impact, he said. Destroying the breeding ground is the most effective way to control its spread.
Recently, directorate of health services (DHS) field officer while conducting an inspection found that aedes mosquito breeding at a grinder repairing workshop in Margao. “There were about 40 grinders left in the open. All of them had rainwater and dengue mosquito larvae,” said Palyekar.
He said those who are forced to store water, due to restricted water supply, should keep the containers covered. They also need to empty them once a week and clean before refiling to discourage mosquito breeding. Dengue outbreak at Sada, in Vasco, happened as the residents had been storing water in every available container in the house.