S Goa administration gears up to combat chikungunya

MARGAO: Even as the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) admitted on Saturday that the chikungunya situation has reached epidemic proportions in few areas of Sanguem and Quepem talukas, the South Goa district administration took further steps to combat the dreaded disease. The district administration officials also sought help from the panchayats of the affected villages.
South Goa collector G P Naik informed that three teams comprising health officials of Quepem, Sanguem and Kakora have already initiated measures to fight the disease with the assistance of the district administration.
"The members have already started collecting blood slides of the affected people from their door-steps and rendering treatment. Besides, anti-larval measures have also been initiated in the affected areas," Naik said. He further disclosed that the operation will continue for 10 days, and within a period of 15-20 days the situation should be under control.
"Clinical manifestations of chikungunya resemble those of dengue fever, and are characterized by severe joint pains like in arthritis, coupled with fever and rash. Therefore, widespread occurrence of the fever, which is not life threatening but causes substantial morbidity and economic loss, has to be controlled by adopting measures of minimizing infection on a war-footing," explained a health officer.
Health workers informed that the teams have also undertaken the task of cleaning the chikungunya-prone areas and creating awareness among the villagers on the importance of sanitation.
DHS officials stated that out of the 116 slides collected by the DHS, 45 samples have tested positive for chikungunya. The samples were collected from the affected people from Colomb and Rivona of Sanguem taluka and Mascavrem and Pirla of Quepem taluka. In Cacora, out of the 28 persons undergoing treatment, 15 persons were discharged, informed officials.
On Saturday, fresh cases of the fever were reported in Kajurem, Vijundrem and some other remote areas of the Sanguem taluka.
A panchayat official told TOI that 11 people from the villages of Kajurem, Vijundrem, Sulcorna and Kevan complained of symptoms similar to those of the chikungunya and sought medical help.
While pointing out that there is no vaccine available to combat the disease, Dr Geeta Kakodkar said that "educating the patient and other members in the household about the risk of transmission and the ways to minimize the risk by reducing vector population, besides minimizing contacts with patients, is of vital importance".
Meanwhile, a major health camp with the help of health officials attached to the DHS, as well as medical practitioners working for mining companies, will be held at Colomba on August 15, informed sources.