CALANGUTE: Thirteen malaria cases were reported at the Candolim Primary Health centre (PHC) in June-July – the first two months of the monsoon which is peak season for vector-borne diseases.
“Most of the malaria cases reported were among tourists and migrants. In May, there were two cases of malaria, four in June and nine in July,” Health Officer Dr Vidya Parab said while speaking to reporters on Thursday.
“During the rainy season, patients often come
to the hospital with high fever and so we immediately conduct blood tests. If the patient tests positive then we immediately take steps to contain the virus by going to the house or hotel and to see if anyone has fever. We also inspect the area and check if there’s any water body around where mosquitoes breed,” Dr Parab said.
She said the absence of such cases among locals was largely due to the preventive measures taken before the onset of the monsoon. “We don’t wait for the monsoon. We do pre-monsoon preparedness and take preventive measures. We also release guppy fish in all ponds as they eat mosquito larvae.”
