Ponda ramps up dengue vigil after suspected death

Ponda: A woman from Khadpabandh in Ponda died of suspected dengue while undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College (GMC) last week, prompting calls for intensified preventive measures amid concerns over a rise in cases in the area.

The deceased, Vibha Tiwari, a native of Uttar Pradesh residing in Khadpabandh, was initially treated at the Ponda sub-district hospital before being referred to GMC as her condition deteriorated. Director of health services Rupa Naik said Tiwari had underlying co-morbidities and that confirmatory test reports are awaited.

Concerned over the situation, a group of Ponda Municipal Council councillors met the health officer on Wednesday and urged the health department to step up dengue awareness and prevention efforts. The councillors also assured their support in the campaign.

Shaunak Borkar, councillor for Khadpabandh, said six suspected dengue cases have been reported in his ward, of which two patients have recovered. “There are likely to be more cases here. People are worried after the death of Vibha, and we want the health department to intensify its measures,” Borkar said.

As a preventive measure, councillors and local social workers have been carrying out fogging operations across the town to curb mosquito breeding. Borkar also urged health officials to identify and eliminate dengue breeding hotspots.

Activist Viraj Sapre said he has written to govt seeking the cleaning of Ponda’s nullahs, pointing out that stagnant water in some stretches could become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.