Dengue prevention drive stepped up in Ponda

Ponda: Health authorities and municipal officials on Thursday launched an intensive awareness and surveillance drive in Ponda’s Khadapabandh ward after live mosquito larvae were found in several houses, amid growing concerns over dengue cases in the area. The ward reported a suspected dengue death last week.

A team comprising doctors from the Ponda Community Health Centre, including health officer Dr Amita Lotlikar, along with Ponda Municipal Council inspectors Avinash Naik, Siddhesh Gaude and assistant inspector Sarvesh Naik, conducted door-to-door visits to educate residents on dengue prevention and identify potential mosquito breeding sites.

During the campaign, officials found live mosquito larvae in plant pots at several houses, highlighting lapses in preventive measures.

The intensified drive follows a meeting between a group of Ponda councillors and the taluka health officer, during which the councillors urged health authorities to step up awareness efforts in Khadapabandh and assured full cooperation.

Ponda councillor Shaunak Borkar said two more suspected dengue cases were reported from Khadapabandh on Thursday alone. He expressed concern that there could be additional unreported cases elsewhere in the town.

As a precautionary measure, councillors and social workers have also undertaken fogging operations across Ponda to curb mosquito breeding and prevent further spread of the disease.