Public action can stop the spread of malaria

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Malaria in Calangute, Candolim
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by Farrel de Souza

Why are Calangute and Candolim becoming stagnated pools 
of sickness? The first case of malaria was detected in the area 
at Candolim Primary Health Centre (PHC) in 1986. Dr Albert 
D?Souza, Health Officer at the PHC, Candolim, attributes the 
rise of malaria in this area to construction activities and migration 
of labourers to Goa from malaria-prone areas. 

Poor living conditions and lack of money for treatment only increase 
the number of labourers stricken by malaria. Water stored in tanks, 
concrete curing and water in unused wells are excellent breeding 
grounds for the disease-carrying mosquito. In fact, any place where 
water is allowed to accumulate is a potential breeding ground.

Some of these places may even be inaccessible. ?Therefore, it is not 
possible to eradicate mosquitoes totally,? as Dr D?Souza says before 
explaining the triangle of infection. The parasite-carrying human 
(the host) is bitten by a mosquito, which bites a healthy person and 
passes the parasite on. If one of these links is cut, the healthy person can be 
saved. 

The PHC follows two lines of approach aimed at ?cutting the links?. 
The first one is surveillance. It watches labourers on project sites and 
screens them, as they might be carriers, not showing any sign of malaria. It is 
mandatory for builders to make health cards for their labourers but, according 
to Dr D?Souza, this rule is often ignored. 

The PHC tries to follow the principle of EDPT: ?Early detection?, 
?prompt treatment? as mentioned in the modified plan of operation, 
1977. If the host is ?clean? i.e. cured, the parasite cannot be passed on. The 
PHC also uses anti-larval measures that include treating the water in which the 
larvae reside with either Malaria Larvicidal Oil (MLO) or a chemical called 
?Abate? or by releasing larvivorous fish such as guppies and kankatre into 
water bodies. The MLO works by suffocating the larvae. Any oil can be used, 
assures Dr D?Souza, even edible oil. People can request the foggers to spray 
their neighbourhood. And if fish catch your fancy, the PHC will provide you 
with some to put in your well. There is also a government proposal to make 
impregnated bed nets containing chemicals that will kill any mosquitoes that 
sit on them.

The Sarpanch of Calangute, Joseph Sequeira, said that he was not 
aware that Calangute is a high-risk area. He denies that the market place could 
be a breeding ground because the garbage is cleared away everyday. Stagnation 
is, therefore, not possible. ?Health(Department) is not doing anything in 
Calangute,? he claims but assures the PHC of the Calangute Panchayat?s 
cooperation if they decide to do something in the village.  

Dr D?Souza says that the PHC can advise the public. In the end, 
it is up to the people. Other doctors agree that the people must awaken in 
order to stop the spread of malaria, the so-called ?king of all tropical 
diseases?. Something as simple as overturning a kotti (coconut shell) could 
save lives. The fewer the places in which water can accumulate, the less the 
chances for mosquitoes to breed.

What are the possible consequences of the spread of malaria in these 
two popular holiday destinations? Sequeira believes it will affect everyone, 
not just tourists, but locals as well. A pandemic is looming if proper 
precautions are not taken now. The economic implications could be severe if 
vacationers feel malaria poses a serious threat in these villages.  

Malaria is an insidious disease that needs to be tackled before it is too late. 
Only the realization of this can help avoid death and eventual decadence.
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HERALD 29/05/06 page 2
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