Health officials at the Candolim Primary Health Centre stepped up measures to curb the spread of dengue in the area. The action follows the death of a 6-year old boy from Calangute.

PHC Health Officer Dr Govekar said, “Besides other measures, we checked for stagnant water at the construction sites in the area. However, we did not observe much stagnant water, which may have been a cause for concern.”

Preventive tests were carried out at the school where the boy was studying.

While these measures are being carried out in the area of the boy's residence in Naikawaddo, Calangute, this is merely a reactionary move. What is called for is a pro-active move to check the unsanitary conditions prevailing in the entire Calangute area where widespread mosquito breeding is a major cause for concern.

The dengue count in Goa has gone up to 49 with one death.