MARGAO
Its official! The outbreak of cholera has so far claimed the lives of five migrant workers working aboard fishing vessels at the Cutbona fishing jetty and the fish landing centre at Mobor.
That’s not all. Official figures have now put the total number migrant workers affected by diarrhea at Cutbona and Mobor to over 100 till date. Health officials informed around 20-25 workers are presently undergoing treatment at the South Goa district hospital, Margao, while a couple of workers are hospitalized at the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim.
State Epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar confirmed to The Goan that five migrants workers have so far succumbed to cholera till date -- four workers at the Cutbona fishing jetty and a lone death at Mobor.
Dr Utkarsh said the State health officials are also keeping a close watch on a similar health situation prevailing at the neighbouring Karwar jetty. “We had contacted the Delhi centre to find out the possible cases of diarrhea/cholera at Karwar, and we have received information that similar cases have been detected at Karwar”, he said.
Taking serious cognisance of the outbreak of cholerea at Cutbona and Mobor, sources said State Health Secretary had chaired a high level meeting of officials of various departments to take stock of the situation and to ensure the disease is immediately contained from spreading to residential localities on both sides of the river Sal at Cutbona and Mobor.
“The health authorities are closely monitoring the situation. The number of cases reported from Mobor has come down. This may be because of the fact that a handful of operators with a limited number of boats are operating from the area. Cutbona is still a matter of concern giving the number of vessels and thousands of migrant workers employed on these vessels”, Dr Utkarsh said.
To a question, he said cholera is caused by factors such as poor hygiene, poor sanitation and overcrowding. Sources said all these factors have been prevalent at the Cutbona fishing jetty with locals complaining of poor hygiene and sanitation and the sheer number of workers employed on the fishing boats operating from Cutbona.
Dr Utkarsh made an appeal to the boat owners to ensure that infected workers are brought to the hospitals without wasting time. “Of the five deaths, 2-3 workers were brought dead to the hospital. The response from the boat owners should be quick in admitting the workers in the hospital”, he added.
