SHWETA KAMAT
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PANJIM: The first six months of 2020 saw a 235 per cent rise in dengue cases in Goa. While no deaths have been reported, the figures are alarming.
From January 1 to June 30, there were 186 confirmed cases of dengue reported in the State, as against 79 cases, during the same period in 2019.
Health centres like Candolim (35), Vasco (55) and Cortalim (18) were found to have the most dengue cases, while other areas reported cases in single digits.
Since a dry spell is considered favourable to the breeding of mosquitoes, not many cases were reported in the month of June till date, due to the excess rainfall.
“As many as 186 confirmed cases were reported till June 30. The cases are on the rise compared to last year during the same period,” Dr Anant Palekar, in-charge of the national vector control programme in Goa, said. “Last year we had seen a sudden surge of cases in July-August-September,” he added.
Goa has been witnessing a rise in dengue cases since 2017. While 150 dengue cases were registered in 2016, 235 cases were registered in 2017, 335 in 2018 and highest ever in 2019 that saw 726 cases. The doctor said that there has been sporadic prevalence, mostly in Vasco.
Palekar said that while investigating the reason for the outbreak, dengue mosquitoes were found breeding in houses where people keep flower pots. In areas where there is no regular water supply they breed in water tanks and also where there is no proper disposal of waste.
Health authorities have observed that a majority of the cases are within families like husband and wife or mother and daughter or son or father and son.
Palekar said that community participation is must to get rid of dengue. “We advise people to take all necessary precautions like covering up water storage tanks, especially in those areas where there is irregular water supply. Also, clean the premises once a week. Cleanliness is important,” he said.
