PANAJI
Just as prospects for the upcoming charter season appeared to be improving, the outbreak of dengue and cholera at Cutbona fishing jetty could play a major spoilsport. Concerns have already been raised by probable international visitors and experts as reviews on some online travel platforms have not been favourable for Goa.
A UK-based travel expert, known as Dragonfly, posted about the prevailing concerns at Cutbona while referring to news reports of 175 cases and six fatalities.
“Not wanting to be scaremongering but there is a cholera outbreak in Goa. 175 people with 6 deaths. These are people that have come into Goa on boats. I don’t want to scaremonger as I said but I think people should be aware of it as its not usual for NHS to vaccinate against cholera and it is worsening,” reads the post on Tripadvisor. in.
In response, another user from Mexico, Guera, commented, “It’s helpful to know so we can make informed decisions.”
A Pittsburgh-based traveller MaryAnne Cogan Beasley suggested vaccination to the water-borne disease. “…. travelers if they’re going in certain areas, they should visit a travel medicine clinic in their area and get whatever necessary vaccines if they’re in a danger zone,” she commented.
A local travel agent in Panaji, speaking to The Goan, recalled the State had never witnessed a serious cholera outbreak for decades. “Any person will now think twice about going to a place that suddenly had this cholera outbreak,” he stated, confirming that some of his clients are seeking updates about the situation in South Goa.
Not too long ago, in a related health advisory, Australian travel health service Travelvax.com.au highlighted a spike in dengue cases in Goa with more than 23 cases reported in Gaondongrim village.
During the same period, Birmingham Mail from the UK reported that Goa reported a steady rise in dengue cases over the years while issuing a travel warning for Karnataka, sharing borders with Goa, due to a dengue outbreak there.
