Salcete, Mormugao under scanner
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, AUG 7
State Epidemiologist Dr Jose De Sa has said the Director of Health Services will be concentrating more on Salcete and Mormugao talukas in South Goa which has witnessed most of the H1N1 cases reported in the state.
Dr De Sa had an interaction with the district authorities, South, besides health officials from the district on Saturday in the wake of the death of a migrant woman and it was decided to launch an Action Plan in the educational institutions from August 12.
Unlike last year, Dr De Sa said, no screening facilities will be set up at the airports as it would be an exercise in futility since the H1N1 virus is already in circulation in the state and across the country.
He made an appeal to the people to avoid crowded places and take precautions while travelling outside the state, saying the neighbouring areas such as Karwar have recorded a spurt in H1M1 case this year. The H1N1 virus has been in circulation in the state and country. Screening at the airports will have no meaning”, he added.
Saying the Director of Health Services have taken initiatives to contain the disease, when cases have been showing an increasing trend, Dr De Sa said the health officials will concentrate more in schools and educational institutions. He, however could not explain why Salcete and Mormugao talukas have reported more number of cases.
Saying that an Action Plan has to be prepared how to build up the educational awareness in the institutions with the support of the NGOs, Dr De Sa said the Action plan will be in operation by August 12.
“There is a possibility of transmitting the disease when students sitting in the school for hours together. The teachers should identify symptoms of flu and should not hesitate to send the student home or to a doctor”, he added.
Secondly, the state Epidemiologist said the educational institutions should bring to the notice of the health officials when they come across high rate of absenteeism.
Stressing on the need for early detection and treatment, Dr De Sa said the migrant woman from Moti Dongor who died of H1N1 came to the hospital after two months before succumbing to the disease.
“What is important is early detection and treatment. When anyone is suffering from cold, fever, sore threat etc, one should immediately consult a doctor. Besides, follow up is very important if the patient is not responding to treatment for 4-5 days,” he added.
