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India Today
3 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Why it's drone war against dengue, malaria in Goa
The Goa government, in a new strategy against vector-borne diseases dengue and malaria, is planning to use drones to identify mosquito-breeding sites and take measures to control them. Two high-risk sites—one urban and one rural—will be identified in North Goa and South Goa for the research study, which is planned to be scaled up to cover the state, depending on the outcomes.'This will help us reach overhead tanks of buildings and roof gutters where there is water leakage and stagnation (leading to breeding of mosquitoes). There have been instances where we have reported cases but breeding sites have not been observed as we have been unable to reach them,' said Dr Kalpana Mahatme, state programme officer and deputy director of the National Vector Borne Diseases Control project is being undertaken with the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Goa branch, and will cover two urban pockets and two primary health centres (PHCs) in rural areas, which are high-risk places due to incidences of will be used to identify breeding sites and spray insecticide. The procurement of four drones is in process. 'Once we get good results, we will scale it up all over Goa,' explained Mahatme. Goa is witnessing rapid urbanisation with a spurt in the development of highrises and residential complexes. It may be difficult to access some parts of these buildings where mosquitoes may breed. People also travel from remote areas to cities for work, and may end up being carriers of dengue and 2022, Goa reported 443 cases of dengue and one fatality. This rose to 512 cases and three deaths in 2023, and 567 cases and three deaths in said they were also planning an app-based research study with the NIMR for tracking the movement of migrant labour to prevent malaria. Under this, the contractors will have to install an app on the phones of labourers to help the department track their movements and enable the local PHC staff and those from the NIMR to conduct rapid tests and blood case of positive cases, it will help track the movements of these workers. According to the Goa Public Health Act, 1985, it is mandatory for all construction workers, especially migrant workers, to be screened for malaria and other diseases. They must also be given a health card issued by the public health department. Any violation by the contractors entails a fine of Rs 10, indigenous cases of malaria (those among the local population) have been nil for the past two years. Goa, however, has imported cases from other states due to the migrant population that flocks to the coastal state from Karnataka, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and 2022, Goa had two cases of malaria and no deaths. In 2023 and 2024, there were no positive cases and no fatalities. The state has not reported any malaria deaths since 2018. Goa is targeting the elimination of malaria by to India Today Magazine
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Fighting dengue: Notices issued to homes for unsafe water storage
Panaji: With pre-monsoon showers hitting the state, the directorate of health services (DHS) has begun issuing notices under the Public Health Act to those found following unsafe water-storage practices, thus posing a risk of a dengue outbreak. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The directorate issued notices to house owners at Cortalim and Vasco, where water collection and mosquito breeding were repeatedly found at rented places. 'Despite several requests from our side to throw out the water, the unsafe storing of water continued, so we issued notices under Section 40 of the Public Health Act,' deputy director and in charge of the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Prevention Programme at the DHS, Dr Kalpana Mahatme, told TOI . The notices have been issued to the owners of the premises being rented out to migrants. Cortalim reported 12 dengue cases last year and Vasco, 10. Across Goa, the dengue count was 567 last year, with three deaths reported. Last year, a large chunk of dengue cases was reported in the pre-monsoon season; the figure has come down comparatively this year. This year, Goa reported 29 dengue cases from Jan to April, compared to 95 in the same period of 2024. The dengue mosquito, a day biter, is said to breed in and around houses, with water as little as 5ml being enough for breeding. People, especially little children and the elderly, have been advised to cover themselves with long pants and long sleeves and take all precautions to avoid getting bitten.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
First confirmed dengue case to be treated by Goa DHS as upsurge
Panaji: The health department is intensifying efforts to combat dengue after last year's casualties, with Dr Kalpana Mahatme, deputy director and nodal officer of the state's National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, emphasising the need for community cooperation . The department has developed a multi-dimensional strategy to battle dengue and keep casualties at zero. After seeing remote villages hit with dengue because of people travelling to urban areas to work and taking the virus back home, the health department has implemented a new approach this year--treating the first suspected dengue case confirmed through rapid testing as an upsurge to prevent its spread. 'If there's an imported case and there's mosquito breeding, we will get more cases. If the vector is destroyed and if there are no breeding sites, then we will not get a second case in the area,' said Mahatme. Personal protective measures are crucial during the rainy season, including wearing long sleeves, long pants, and applying mosquito repellent. 'Simple steps of checking and cleaning your surroundings for potential mosquito breeding sites and covering stored water with an airtight lid or tightly with a cloth can go a long way in preventing a dengue upsurge,' said Mahatme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gạch lát sàn cao su không cần keo – xu hướng mới nhất tại Việt Nam! Gạch | Quảng cáo tìm kiếm Tìm Ngay Undo The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries dengue, can breed in as little as 5ml of water, such as in bottle caps, coconut shells, tyres, flowerpot plates, and refrigerator trays. 'Dengue-carrying mosquitoes breed close to us - in and around our houses. It's impossible for health workers to enter people's homes and colonies to check for mosquito breeding,' Mahatme stated. The health department recommends using guppy fish, available free at health centres, for wells, aquatic fountains, and plants as a preventive measure. Mahatme dismissed common misconceptions spread through WhatsApp messages about dengue mosquitoes. 'The dengue and chikungunya transmitting Aedes aegypti mosquito is a day-biter and can bite any exposed part of the body. Applying coconut oil or other oils which don't have any properties that repel mosquitoes will not protect you from being bitten,' she said. The health department has been actively conducting source reduction drives to eliminate potential breeding sites. They are also implementing fever surveys and public awareness sessions about dengue. Areas that experienced an upsurge of cases last year have been mapped for focused attention this year, following the National Dengue Day theme of 'Check, Clean, Cover: Steps to Defeat Dengue'. The department continues to emphasize that preventing dengue requires simple steps rather than complex solutions, urging residents to maintain vigilance in checking their surroundings and taking necessary precautions.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Target sites breeding dengue and malaria vectors: Govt to all depts
Panaji: With unseasonal showers expected ahead of the monsoon, the directorate of health services has sent out detailed advisories to all departments to to take steps to prevent the breeding of the deadly dengue and malaria mosquitoes. They have been instructed to report any fever or suspected dengue cases to the nearest health centre. Last year, dengue claimed three lives, including two minors. A detailed SOP has been sent to Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTCL), which reported dengue cases at its Porvorim depot last year, and to the registrar of cooperative societies to circulate to all housing societies. The dengue mosquitoes are often found breeding in flowerpots, and other such sites in housing societies. Operation Sindoor Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal Sirens, explosions in border districts after Pak breaks deal: What we know so far 'What happened to ceasefire?' J&K CM after explosions heard across Srinagar The advisory to the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has instructed the area/field manager of each IDC to inform each unit owner about preventive measures and appoint a nodal officer for weekly surveillance. A detailed advisory has been issued to the Captain of Ports and the directorate of fisheries to screen fishermen, migrant workers, crew working on marine vessels, and those staying at jetties and docks for malaria. Local bodies have also been asked to cooperate with the health department by providing garbage trucks and labour during source reduction drives to ensure immediate disposal of waste that could become potential mosquito breeding sites. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The health department has asked each department to appoint a nodal officer to check compliance. 'We don't want a repeat of last year,' said the deputy director and chief medical officer in charge of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme at DHS, Kalpana Mahatme. 'We are arranging workshops for all nodal officers so that they understand their role in preventing the spread of dengue and malaria within their jurisdiction,' she said. Goa reported 29 dengue cases from Jan to April this year, compared to 95 cases last year. All six cases in April were from North Goa— two in Mapusa and one each in Pernem, Candolim, Aldona, and Siolim. 'We are concentrating on areas of dengue cases last year. We have mapped them and are carrying out source reduction drives, preventing potential mosquito breeding sites,' she said. She added further that health centres have been instructed to educate people about the warning signs of dengue and malaria to ensure timely reporting and treatment of fever cases.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Goa steps up dengue, malaria prevention ahead of monsoon
Panaji: With unseasonal showers expected ahead of the monsoon, the directorate of health services has sent out detailed advisories to all departments to prevent mosquito breeding. They have been instructed to report any fever or suspected dengue cases to the nearest health centre. Last year, dengue claimed three lives, including two minors. A detailed SOP has been sent to Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTCL), which reported dengue cases at its Porvorim depot last year, and to the registrar of cooperative societies to circulate to all housing societies. The advisory to the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has instructed the area/field manager of each IDC to inform each unit owner about preventive measures and appoint a nodal officer for weekly surveillance. Operation Sindoor 'Common sense prevailed': Trump on India-Pak ceasefire on Truth Social 'Pakistan initiated call; both nations agreed to stop military action after direct talks', says India Ceasefire took effect at 5pm; top India, Pak military officials to talk again on May 12 A detailed advisory has been issued to the Captain of Ports and the directorate of fisheries to screen fishermen and migrant workers for malaria. Local bodies have also been asked to cooperate with the health department by providing garbage trucks and labour during source reduction drives to ensure immediate disposal of waste that could become potential mosquito breeding sites. The health department has asked each department to appoint a nodal officer to check compliance. 'We don't want a repeat of last year,' said the deputy director and chief medical officer in charge of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme at DHS, Kalpana Mahatme. 'We are arranging workshops for all nodal officers so they understand their role in preventing the spread of dengue and malaria within their jurisdiction,' she said. Goa reported 29 dengue cases from Jan to April this year, compared to 95 cases last year. All six cases in April were from North Goa— two in Mapusa and one each in Pernem, Candolim, Aldona, and Siolim. 'We are concentrating on areas of dengue cases last year. We have mapped them and are carrying out source reduction drives, preventing potential mosquito breeding sites,' she said, adding that health centres have been instructed to educate people about the warning signs of dengue and malaria to ensure timely reporting and treatment of fever cases.
