Public awareness vital to curb spread of malaria
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: If you thought that only migrant labourers are responsible for the spread of malaria in the state, then its time to do some rethinking. Even as the level of knowledge about malaria, its symptoms, mode of transmission and breeding sites is quite high in Goa, the practices adopted for prevention and control of malaria is unsatisfactory. This despite the fact that the awareness regarding prevention and control of malaria was found satisfactory by majority of people, reveals a latest study.
The study, “Evaluation of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) During Anti-Malaria month in Goa, 2006” was conducted by the Goa Medical College’s department of Preventive and Social Medicine and submitted to the Directorate of Health Service in December 2007.
Explaining the purpose of the study, the report states, “BCC is an integrated process that involves linkage of advocacy, social mobilization through inter-sectoral convergence and communication efforts for enhancement of knowledge, beliefs, values and attitudes resulting in suitable practices at individual, family and societal levels.
This year the malaria menance has been huge and government has declared it is just short of terming it an epidemic. In 2008, six persons are detected with falcipharum malaria every day. In 2007, the
number of falcipharum cases was only four cases per day. Surprisingly, even the cases of people detected with vivax malaria has almost doubled this year. From January to June 2007, about 2883 cases of vivax malaria was detected, in 2008 already 4025 cases of vivax malaria have been detected. There has already been seven malaria related death.
A cross sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, practises of the beneficiaries of government’s Anti Malaria Month (AMM) campaign as regards to prevention and control of malaria in the state. Six villages and two wards were selected for the study. AMM was launched in Goa in the months of June and August 2006.
It has been recommended that more emphasis should be laid on intensive spraying of insecticides, wide use of larvivorous fish and insecticide treated bed nets.
“The most effective strategy to control malaria would be one based on personal protective measures, to be adopted on a mass scale. This calls for people’s active participation against malaria and its vector, which in turn would be dependent on empowering people with good working knowledge of the essentials of epidemiology of malaria,” the report states.
The report added, “The thinking still prevalent in the local community is that it (malaria) can spread through modes other than mosquito bites. Therefore, the first step would need to be an effective public awareness campaign and enable local bodies to run their own micro programmes for malaria control.”
2008 Jul 23 Times Of India Goa
Showing posts with label Malaria;Goa;Migrants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malaria;Goa;Migrants. Show all posts
Friday, August 15, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Malaria rises with building activity
Malaria rises with building activity
On An Average There Are About 300 Cases Of Malaria Reported Every Month
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Does increase in construction activity have a direct link with the spread of malaria? Yes, say health officials, who believe that the scourge of malaria is likely to increase and not decrease in the coming years.
With construction sites being perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes and migrants considered transmitters of malaria, the disease is here to stay, allege health officials. On an average there are about 300 cases of malaria every month and the disease touches a peak during the monsoons. In the first three months of 2008, about 1931 persons were detected with malaria. In 2007, on an average about 1000 cases of malaria were detected every month between July and November.
“Earlier, the incidents of malaria were high during the monsoons, but now the prevalence of malaria is a year round feature. We have seen that wherever there is construction activity, the prevalence of malaria is high and once the construction is over, the number of cases of malaria come down drastically,” said directorate of health services deputy director Dr Deepak Kabadi.
“Our whole action is to control malaria amongst the migrant labourers working at the construction sites. We screen them regularly and treat them to keep a check on the spread of malaria,” Dr Kabadi said.
To substantiate the link between malaria and migrant labourers, who work at construction sites, health officials throw figures from the last two years, when construction activity had touched a peak. While in 2006, 4110 labourers were found to be suffering from malaria, only 892 were locals. The situation was no different in 2007. There were 8042 migrants treated for
malaria, while the locals were only 1600. From January to March 2008, 1931 cases were detected with malaria, of which 272 are locals and the rest migrants.
Majority of health officials believe that the parasitic infection has been brought into the state by the migrant labourers, who have migrated to Goa for work from malaria endemic areas. Therefore, the migrants are monitored regularly to check the spread of disease and most of the government’s intervention and control methods focus on labourers. Even the state government by amending the Goa Public Health Act in March 1996 had declared malaria as a notifiable disease.
The health authorities have also introduced ‘health cards’, which are essentially to be carried by all migrant construction labourers. This card has to be obtained by all migrant construction labourers from the nearest primary health centre and the testing of malaria has to be done every three months. However, critics say that the efficiency in controlling malaria by issuing health cards fails on several counts, especially since the burden of vector control is now on the migrant labourer, and not on the construction companies.
Even World Health Organisation (WHO) categorises malaria as a killer disease. It is a problem that to a very great extent is man-made. Still worse, even though man is aware of the problem, they are still not deeply concerned about its eradication.
“Pits all over the roads in Goa, construction sites, plastics littered in stormwater drains, several open spaces used by the public as urinals and toilets, water logging in monsoons and garbage scattered everywhere, to name a few are frequent mosquito breeding sites,” said a city based doctor.
HISTORY
Malaria by no account is new to Goa. There are several historical accounts of malaria epidemics in the state. The incidence was highest in the rural areas of Sanguem, Sattari, Canacona and Quepem talukas. Regulation to prevent and control malaria epidemic was initiated in 1913 and by 1950s malaria was almost under control. But in 1986, there was a sudden upturn in malaria cases in Panaji. This was the first time that an urban area had been affected by malaria. The health officials explained that this was due to the construction works that were being carried out at Miramar area. With the construction activity increasing in the state, malaria is here to stay, said health officials.
MOST DANGEROUS MOSQUITOES
ANOPHELINE CULISIFACIES:
The most dangerous malaria carrier, it mostly breeds in swamps, which have been formed by floods and rain water accumulation and feeds on human as well as bovine blood.
ANOPHELINE FLUVIATIS:
It breeds in clear water, seepages and wells, edges of ponds, paddy fields etc. It feeds on human blood and cattle blood, especially around midnight.
ANOPHELINE STEPHENSI:
This species is said to be a vector in the coastal areas of Pernem and Arpora in Bardez and mostly breeds in salt pans during the months of September and October.
2008 May 27 Times Of India Goa
On An Average There Are About 300 Cases Of Malaria Reported Every Month
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Does increase in construction activity have a direct link with the spread of malaria? Yes, say health officials, who believe that the scourge of malaria is likely to increase and not decrease in the coming years.
With construction sites being perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes and migrants considered transmitters of malaria, the disease is here to stay, allege health officials. On an average there are about 300 cases of malaria every month and the disease touches a peak during the monsoons. In the first three months of 2008, about 1931 persons were detected with malaria. In 2007, on an average about 1000 cases of malaria were detected every month between July and November.
“Earlier, the incidents of malaria were high during the monsoons, but now the prevalence of malaria is a year round feature. We have seen that wherever there is construction activity, the prevalence of malaria is high and once the construction is over, the number of cases of malaria come down drastically,” said directorate of health services deputy director Dr Deepak Kabadi.
“Our whole action is to control malaria amongst the migrant labourers working at the construction sites. We screen them regularly and treat them to keep a check on the spread of malaria,” Dr Kabadi said.
To substantiate the link between malaria and migrant labourers, who work at construction sites, health officials throw figures from the last two years, when construction activity had touched a peak. While in 2006, 4110 labourers were found to be suffering from malaria, only 892 were locals. The situation was no different in 2007. There were 8042 migrants treated for
malaria, while the locals were only 1600. From January to March 2008, 1931 cases were detected with malaria, of which 272 are locals and the rest migrants.
Majority of health officials believe that the parasitic infection has been brought into the state by the migrant labourers, who have migrated to Goa for work from malaria endemic areas. Therefore, the migrants are monitored regularly to check the spread of disease and most of the government’s intervention and control methods focus on labourers. Even the state government by amending the Goa Public Health Act in March 1996 had declared malaria as a notifiable disease.
The health authorities have also introduced ‘health cards’, which are essentially to be carried by all migrant construction labourers. This card has to be obtained by all migrant construction labourers from the nearest primary health centre and the testing of malaria has to be done every three months. However, critics say that the efficiency in controlling malaria by issuing health cards fails on several counts, especially since the burden of vector control is now on the migrant labourer, and not on the construction companies.
Even World Health Organisation (WHO) categorises malaria as a killer disease. It is a problem that to a very great extent is man-made. Still worse, even though man is aware of the problem, they are still not deeply concerned about its eradication.
“Pits all over the roads in Goa, construction sites, plastics littered in stormwater drains, several open spaces used by the public as urinals and toilets, water logging in monsoons and garbage scattered everywhere, to name a few are frequent mosquito breeding sites,” said a city based doctor.
HISTORY
Malaria by no account is new to Goa. There are several historical accounts of malaria epidemics in the state. The incidence was highest in the rural areas of Sanguem, Sattari, Canacona and Quepem talukas. Regulation to prevent and control malaria epidemic was initiated in 1913 and by 1950s malaria was almost under control. But in 1986, there was a sudden upturn in malaria cases in Panaji. This was the first time that an urban area had been affected by malaria. The health officials explained that this was due to the construction works that were being carried out at Miramar area. With the construction activity increasing in the state, malaria is here to stay, said health officials.
MOST DANGEROUS MOSQUITOES
ANOPHELINE CULISIFACIES:
The most dangerous malaria carrier, it mostly breeds in swamps, which have been formed by floods and rain water accumulation and feeds on human as well as bovine blood.
ANOPHELINE FLUVIATIS:
It breeds in clear water, seepages and wells, edges of ponds, paddy fields etc. It feeds on human blood and cattle blood, especially around midnight.
ANOPHELINE STEPHENSI:
This species is said to be a vector in the coastal areas of Pernem and Arpora in Bardez and mostly breeds in salt pans during the months of September and October.
2008 May 27 Times Of India Goa
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