TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: After the incidents of cattle poisoning, people of Agonda are now faced with a filarial outbreak scare, as five Bihari labourers staying in the village, between the age group of 21 to 27 years, have tested positive and are receiving treatment for the dreaded Elephantisis or Hathi-Rog.
Two other women, aged 33 and 35 years, showing symptoms of the disease (swollen legs) have tested negative for Filaria. They have been requested to report to Hospicio hospital in Margao for advanced tests.
The health officials have collected 145 blood samples from migrants and locals and are determined to collect blood samples from the entire village in a time bound manner.
Directorate of Health Services taking cognisance of the disease and are working in close tandem with local health officials, to avoid any major out-break of the disease. It is not known when and how many Biharis were infected and are still in the village or State. Residents however, have sent a clear message to health authorities to act before the virus gains epidemic proportions.
Incidentally, as the blood samples need to be compulsorily collected during late night for proper detection, a team of health officials had to beat a hasty retreat from the village two nights ago, and police were called after local residents objected to the teams presence in their area at unearthly hours.
According to Canacona Health Officer, Dr Lorna Fernandes, a patient approached the CHC, Chaudi, with swollen legs some days ago. Taking note of the symptoms, a health team visited the locality, where the patient resides and randomly took 53 blood samples. Five men in the age group of 19 to 27 years tested positive for Filaria virus and are accordingly being treated. As follow-up, the health officials did fogging of the area, and collected another 92 blood samples mostly of locals staying in the affected locality, but not without facing stiff resistance and with assistance from the police.
According to health sources, actual filarial symptoms manifest only after the disease is fully blown and it takes even up to six years to have the first symptoms, and therefore necessary tests are required to clear doubts.
According to sources, the affected Bihari labourers are amongst 52 other migrants staying at the same location in Agonda, and work at stone-quarries and as masons, and do not have the mandatory health card.
Dr Lorna informed Herald that normally micro-Filaria tests are conducted every month, with health officials evenly taking up 12 different clusters/areas in a routine manner. Dr Lorna also asked residents to compulsorily keep their surroundings clean, avoid bites from insect vectors, use mosquitoes repellents/creams, mats or coils and mosquitoes nets and or wear protective clothing.
Former Agonda sarpanch Jovi Fernandes appealed to the villagers to allow the health team to take blood samples before the dreaded virus becomes a pandemic.
