Team Herald
PANJIM: Though there has been a sudden outbreak of suspected dengue cases in Goa this month, as a result of the dry spell that is considered favorable to the breeding of mosquitoes, confirmed cases of the viral disease has shown almost 40 per cent decline till July, compared to last year during the same period. August, however, has reported around 50 suspected dengue cases.
From January 1 to July 31 this year, there were 79 confirmed cases of dengue reported in the State. The count for the same period last year was 195 cases. Urban areas such as Panjim, Vasco, Margao and the coastal belt of Calangute, are the most affected.
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 and 335 in 2018.
Speaking to HERALD, National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme Deputy Director Dr Anant Palekar, said there has been a sustainable decline in the overall confirmed dengue cases for the current year. “We do not take into account the suspected cases. Only the confirmed cases are counted. And as per the record, till July 31, there were 79 cases detected and treated,” he said.
Sources in the health department said there have been over 50 suspected cases of dengue in the month of August. “As per the report from the health centers, GMC and Hospicio, these are till now suspected cases and we cannot consider them as confirmed,” sources said, adding that suspected dengue cases reported in Canacona were later confirmed to be chikungunya.
Sources further said that the sudden outbreak of cases is reportedly due to the dry spell of rain, which is considered a favourable condition for breading of the dengue mosquito. Sources added that that most cases have been reported from Vasco, Panjim, Margao amongst the towns.
