As dengue surges in Vasco, authorities seek municipality’s help to curb health menace

Vasco: As dengue cases have seen a rise in Vasco, specifically in Baina, the health authorities have sought the cooperation of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) to tackle the health situation.
“There is an increase in the number of dengue cases in Baina, Gandhinagar and near the KTC bus stand, among other areas. Moreover, three to four wards of Baina have been found to have breeding grounds,” deputy director, vector borne diseases, directorate of health services, Kalpana Mahatme said.
Health officials held a meeting with stakeholders on Tuesday at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina.
Mahatme asked MMC councillors to help health officials in conducting routine checks in localities and to persuade people to avoid storing water in open vessels and to maintain cleanliness.
She said that they have found breeding sites where Gammon India Pvt Ltd has stored its material.
In July, 102 confirmed dengue cases were recorded in the state, of which 65 were in South Goa. The chart showed 24 cases in Cortalim, while 41 were recorded in Vasco alone.
Mahatme said that earlier they would try to persuade people to take precautions, but now they have been told to take punitive measures. “We can even fine and ask the electricity and water department to cut off connections of the offending parties. We should not be forced to take such actions. Councillors said garages and isolated places yards in unoccupied houses might have breeding grounds. The health department has asked them to note the addresses of such places and that they will take action.
Dr Rashmi Khandeparkar said that at the last bus stop in Baina, fishing canoe and their material at Baina beach, private constructions near the KTC bus stand have multiple breeding grounds. “Vasco has no 24-hour water supply, which is the biggest reason for the rise in dengue cases here. People store water in barrels.”