2 days ago
14 acute diarrhoeal disease cases at Cutbona jetty, 1 worker gets cholera
Panaji:
Fourteen fish trawler workers at the Cutbona jetty were diagnosed with the acute diarrhoeal disease, of which one was confirmed to be cholera. Around 1,600 trawler workers who have migrated to Goa for the fishing season were screened for cholera, dengue, and malaria.
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The health department is considering the latest episode a possible outbreak of the acute diarrhoeal disease.
The 14 cases were detected over a ten-day period beginning Aug 4. Most workers are said to have migrated to Goa from Odisha and Chhattisgarh. One of the workers admitted to GMC has been discharged. The rest are said to be undergoing domiciliary treatment and monitored by the Bali health centre.
At an inspection of the jetty on Thursday, garbage was found, and directions were issued to the panchayat to remove it.
After stagnant water was found in dinghies at the jetty, directions were issued to the directorate of fisheries to clear it.
The directorate of health services prepared packets of paracetamol, antibiotics, and ORS and distributed them to fish trawler owners. The packets are to be given to workers who fall ill while at sea.
The fishing season draws 3,000-4,000 workers to the jetty. 'There must be no open defecation, and hands must be washed thoroughly. Drinking water must be clean and boiled, and food must be hygienic,' said state epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar.
Last year saw five trawler workers die due to cholera, with some declared brought dead.
