Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...unya-on-rise-in-state/articleshow/4735978.cms
Biting reality: Cases of malaria, chikungunya on rise in state
4 Jul 2009, 0628 hrs IST, TNN
PANAJI: Fifty four people have already become victims of malaria last week in the state's capital alone. While 44 were detected with the vivax
strain, 10 had falciparum. In June, Goa had about 491 malaria cases, of which 109 victims had the falciparum strain.
Data obtained from the health department reveals that from January 1 to June 2009, there have been 2,433 cases of malaria, of which 570 were cases of falciparum. There were also 26 confirmed cases of dengue in the last 6 months, of which 18 were registered in North Goa and 8 in South Goa. Of these, 11 alone were reported in May 2009. Of the 35 cases of chikungunya this year, 29 confirmed cases were reported in May 2009.
"We have observed that wherever there is construction activity, malaria is high. Once construction is over, the number of malaria cases not only comes down but it gets completely wiped out," said deputy director of health services Dr Deepak Kabadi.
Health authorities continuously blame construction activity and the migrant labour population for the prevalence of malaria in the state. They maintain that once construction is over, the number of malaria cases comes down drastically. But, despite health authorities claims of screening migrant labourers and issuing health cards to keep a check on the spread of malaria, the fact remains that from 2006 to 2008, the number of malaria cases have increased. The detected cases of malaria have almost doubled from 5,010 in 2006 to 9,822 in 2008.
Health minister Vishwajit Rane said that about 20,000 WHO-approved readymade mosquito nets will be purchased by the health department and distributed to migrant labourers at construction sites in Caranzalem and Candolim. "Our whole action is to control malaria amongst migrant labourers working at construction sites. We screen them regularly and treat them to keep a check on the spread of malaria," Dr Kabadi said.
"Everyday we get approximately 8 to 10 patients complaining of fever. A majority of them either suffer from malaria, viral fever or some other type of fever. With the onset of the monsoon, the number of cases will also increase,'' said Goa Medical College medical superintendent Dr Rajan Kunkolienkar.
Monsoon-related ailments
MALARIA
A mosquito-borne disease, it is caused by a parasite and is usually of two types, vivax or falciparum, the second being more worrying and could even be life-threatening
Symptoms: Fever with chills, resembling flu Incubation period: 3-5 days Preventive measures: Empty out all water collected in flower pots, old tyres, pans or odd articles, regularly clean overhead tanks in buildings, and use mosquito nets and insecticides
Cases: 4 deaths, 950 persons hospitalised
DENGUE
It is an infectious disease carried from person to person by tiger mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti)
Symptoms: Sudden onset of fever, severe headache, falling platelet count which could occasionally cause shock and haemorrhage (bleeding), leading to death Incubation period: 5-7 days Preventive measures: Keep mosquitoes away and avoid collection of water Cases: 1 death, 23 persons hospitalised
LEPTOSPIROSIS
It is a bacterial infection caused by the leptospira bacteria which is spread through water contaminated with the urine of rats and dogs
Symptoms: High fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, abdominal pain and vomiting or loose motions. If left untreated the patient could have kidney damage or respiratory distress Incubation period: 5 days to four weeks Preventive measures: Avoid wading through flood waters especially if you have cuts or abrasions on your feet/legs. Wash your feet clean after walking through muck
Cases: 1 death, 11 persons hospitalised
GASTROENTERITIS
It is an infection or inflammation of the digestive tract and may be caused by a virus or bacteria
Symptoms: Vomiting, watery diarrhoea, fever Incubation period: 12-24 hours Preventive measures: Avoid ice, roadside food, open cut fruits, and boil your drinking water
Cases: 828 persons hospitalised
JAUNDICE
It is a condition associated with an increase of bilirubin in the blood, which can cause liver disease. It is caused by the Hepatitis virus
Symptoms: Yellowness of eyes and skin, vomiting Incubation period: 15-20 days Preventive measures: Drink boiled water; there are hepatitis vaccines available
Sporadic cases
CONJUNCTIVITIS
Inflammation of the conjuctiva (eye membrane), caused by a virus or bacteria
Symptoms: Redness of the eye, itchiness, watery discharge Incubation period: 1-3 days (bacterial); 2-19 days (viral) Prevention: Wash your hands often. Avoid sharing towels or eye drops with an infected person. Antibiotic eyedrops should give relief within a week. If the irritation persists, consult an eye specialist
Biting reality: Cases of malaria, chikungunya on rise in state
4 Jul 2009, 0628 hrs IST, TNN
PANAJI: Fifty four people have already become victims of malaria last week in the state's capital alone. While 44 were detected with the vivax
strain, 10 had falciparum. In June, Goa had about 491 malaria cases, of which 109 victims had the falciparum strain.
Data obtained from the health department reveals that from January 1 to June 2009, there have been 2,433 cases of malaria, of which 570 were cases of falciparum. There were also 26 confirmed cases of dengue in the last 6 months, of which 18 were registered in North Goa and 8 in South Goa. Of these, 11 alone were reported in May 2009. Of the 35 cases of chikungunya this year, 29 confirmed cases were reported in May 2009.
"We have observed that wherever there is construction activity, malaria is high. Once construction is over, the number of malaria cases not only comes down but it gets completely wiped out," said deputy director of health services Dr Deepak Kabadi.
Health authorities continuously blame construction activity and the migrant labour population for the prevalence of malaria in the state. They maintain that once construction is over, the number of malaria cases comes down drastically. But, despite health authorities claims of screening migrant labourers and issuing health cards to keep a check on the spread of malaria, the fact remains that from 2006 to 2008, the number of malaria cases have increased. The detected cases of malaria have almost doubled from 5,010 in 2006 to 9,822 in 2008.
Health minister Vishwajit Rane said that about 20,000 WHO-approved readymade mosquito nets will be purchased by the health department and distributed to migrant labourers at construction sites in Caranzalem and Candolim. "Our whole action is to control malaria amongst migrant labourers working at construction sites. We screen them regularly and treat them to keep a check on the spread of malaria," Dr Kabadi said.
"Everyday we get approximately 8 to 10 patients complaining of fever. A majority of them either suffer from malaria, viral fever or some other type of fever. With the onset of the monsoon, the number of cases will also increase,'' said Goa Medical College medical superintendent Dr Rajan Kunkolienkar.
Monsoon-related ailments
MALARIA
A mosquito-borne disease, it is caused by a parasite and is usually of two types, vivax or falciparum, the second being more worrying and could even be life-threatening
Symptoms: Fever with chills, resembling flu Incubation period: 3-5 days Preventive measures: Empty out all water collected in flower pots, old tyres, pans or odd articles, regularly clean overhead tanks in buildings, and use mosquito nets and insecticides
Cases: 4 deaths, 950 persons hospitalised
DENGUE
It is an infectious disease carried from person to person by tiger mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti)
Symptoms: Sudden onset of fever, severe headache, falling platelet count which could occasionally cause shock and haemorrhage (bleeding), leading to death Incubation period: 5-7 days Preventive measures: Keep mosquitoes away and avoid collection of water Cases: 1 death, 23 persons hospitalised
LEPTOSPIROSIS
It is a bacterial infection caused by the leptospira bacteria which is spread through water contaminated with the urine of rats and dogs
Symptoms: High fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, abdominal pain and vomiting or loose motions. If left untreated the patient could have kidney damage or respiratory distress Incubation period: 5 days to four weeks Preventive measures: Avoid wading through flood waters especially if you have cuts or abrasions on your feet/legs. Wash your feet clean after walking through muck
Cases: 1 death, 11 persons hospitalised
GASTROENTERITIS
It is an infection or inflammation of the digestive tract and may be caused by a virus or bacteria
Symptoms: Vomiting, watery diarrhoea, fever Incubation period: 12-24 hours Preventive measures: Avoid ice, roadside food, open cut fruits, and boil your drinking water
Cases: 828 persons hospitalised
JAUNDICE
It is a condition associated with an increase of bilirubin in the blood, which can cause liver disease. It is caused by the Hepatitis virus
Symptoms: Yellowness of eyes and skin, vomiting Incubation period: 15-20 days Preventive measures: Drink boiled water; there are hepatitis vaccines available
Sporadic cases
CONJUNCTIVITIS
Inflammation of the conjuctiva (eye membrane), caused by a virus or bacteria
Symptoms: Redness of the eye, itchiness, watery discharge Incubation period: 1-3 days (bacterial); 2-19 days (viral) Prevention: Wash your hands often. Avoid sharing towels or eye drops with an infected person. Antibiotic eyedrops should give relief within a week. If the irritation persists, consult an eye specialist