The Directorate of Health Services advised to the public in state that, weekly cleaning and drying of water containers and room coolers be carried on for reduction in mosquito breeding. The Department has informs the public to take preventive measures to check the transmission of malaria and other vector borne diseases because Malaria is the concern of one and all.
Anti Malaria month is observed every year in the month of June throughout the country to enhance the level of awareness and encourage community participation through mass media campaigns and inter persona communication.
Malaria and other vector borne diseases like Lymphatic Filariasis, Japnese Encephalitis, Dengue and Chikungunya are expected to rise during the monsoon and post monsoon periods due to the increase number of monsoon related mosquito breeding sites.
The vector mosquitoes spreading malaria and other vector borne diseases breed in man-made breeding sites created by developmental activities industrialization, lifestyle changes, population migration as well as housing environment and water management deficiencies.
To alleviate the situation it is pertinent to inculcate sustained and appropriate health seeking behavior amongst all. To solicit active cooperation from the community and all the stakeholders in reducing the mosquito breeding potentials, early detection, prompt and adequate treatment of malaria and other vector borne diseases is carried out. This is possible by enhancing awareness regarding source and transmission risk reduction, treatment, availability of services at different levels under all the Primary/Community/ Urban Health Centres in the State of Goa.
The AMM campaign would focus on prevention and control of malaria as well as other vector borne diseases. it is emphasized that the elimination of breeding sites by removing stagnant water bodies, solid wastes, coconut shell, tyres, broken utensils/buckets/bottles/open water tank/drums and any other structures which can hold rain water and provide active breeding sites is of utmost importance.
Extensive information, education and communication (IEC) activities through Advocacy Workshops for social mobilization of the community on preventive measures and destroying breeding habitats through cleanliness drives are being observed under all the Health Centres.
Minor engineering measures like proper placing of lids on overhead tanks, underground tanks, repairing of leakages from pipeline and prevention of over flowing of tanks, channelizing of water collection on roofs and cleaning of water outlets are recommended.
All the local self governments are requested to carry on desalting and de-weeding of all the drains to avoid water stagnations in the drains. Similarly the Builders/ Contractors should avoid creating of mosquito breeding sites and carry out regular anti- larval operation to prevent mosquito breeding in the existing breeding sites at the construction premises.
The migrant laborers should be immediately screened for malaria on their arrival in Goa and the health cards is obtained from the respective Health Centres.
All schools to check for breeding sites at their premises and collaborate with the Health Officer/Medical Officer I/C of the area for any further action.
