French docs seek information on P-vivax deaths in Goa

French docs seek information on P-vivax deaths in Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: The two suspected malaria deaths caused by the Plasmodium vivax parasite in Goa have not only alarmed the Union health ministry, but also the French health authorities, especially since several French tourists visit Goa every year.
The doctors from France’s national public health institute, “Institut de Veille Sanitaire,” recently wrote to the Goa Medical College’s pathology department head asking for information regarding the current situation of P-vivax deaths in Goa as there are “exchanges between France and your country (India), especially in the Goa area”.
Besides, they said that they would like to be informed about epidemics worldwide which may have a public health impact on French nationals or any person living in France.
Thousands of French tourists visit sun kissed Goa every year. GMC’s pathology department head Dr Wiseman Pinto confirmed that he has received the letter.
He said, “Generally deaths due to P-vivax don’t occur, but given the past few incidents it has now become a matter of concern for doctors worldwide”.
The team from the National Institute of Malaria
Research, an autonomous organisation under the Indian Council of Medical Research, has also confirmed that the two deaths in Goa have occurred due to P-vivax.
When TOI contacted officials at Institut de Veille Sanitaire, they downplayed it stating that they “don’t foresee a significant public health impact on French nationals visiting Goa”.
“French guidelines for prevention of malaria in travellers recommend malaria prophylaxis when visiting India in general. Therefore, French tourists visiting India — and Goa in particular — and who follow recommendations for preventing malaria and other vectorborne diseases can serenely
enjoy their stay,” informed Dr Arnaud Tarantola, Département International et Tropical, Institut de Veille Sanitaire, France.
Dr Tarantola added, “Scientific research on P-vivax malaria is important as it helps to ascertain emerging trends, foresee complications or guide treatment in endemic settings or in tourists returning from P- vivax-endemic areas, who did not observe recommendations”.
In French territories, malaria is prevalent in French Guyana (located on the South American continent and bordering Surinam and Brazil) and in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian ocean located near Madagascar.
Even as P-vivax prevails in French Guyana and P-falciparum in Mayotte, malaria has been successfully eliminated in several other territories.
People from the tourism sector in Goa have also woken up to the need to keep their surroundings clean and destroy all mosquito breeding grounds.
“All our members have been asked to keep their property and surrounding areas clean. Besides, they have been asked to clean contaminated ponds in their vicinity to ensure that Goa is clean and safe for tourists and locals,” added Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Ralph de Souza.
2008 Jul 31 Times Of India Goa