Why it's drone war against dengue, malaria in Goa

India Today

03-06-2025

The Goa government, in a new strategy against vector-borne diseases dengue and malaria, is planning to use drones to identify mosquito-breeding sites and take measures to control them. Two high-risk sites—one urban and one rural—will be identified in North Goa and South Goa for the research study, which is planned to be scaled up to cover the state, depending on the outcomes.'This will help us reach overhead tanks of buildings and roof gutters where there is water leakage and stagnation (leading to breeding of mosquitoes). There have been instances where we have reported cases but breeding sites have not been observed as we have been unable to reach them,' said Dr Kalpana Mahatme, state programme officer and deputy director of the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme.advertisementThe project is being undertaken with the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Goa branch, and will cover two urban pockets and two primary health centres (PHCs) in rural areas, which are high-risk places due to incidences of dengue.Drones will be used to identify breeding sites and spray insecticide. The procurement of four drones is in process. 'Once we get good results, we will scale it up all over Goa,' explained Mahatme.
Goa is witnessing rapid urbanisation with a spurt in the development of highrises and residential complexes. It may be difficult to access some parts of these buildings where mosquitoes may breed. People also travel from remote areas to cities for work, and may end up being carriers of dengue and malaria.In 2022, Goa reported 443 cases of dengue and one fatality. This rose to 512 cases and three deaths in 2023, and 567 cases and three deaths in 2024.advertisementMahatme said they were also planning an app-based research study with the NIMR for tracking the movement of migrant labour to prevent malaria. Under this, the contractors will have to install an app on the phones of labourers to help the department track their movements and enable the local PHC staff and those from the NIMR to conduct rapid tests and blood tests.In case of positive cases, it will help track the movements of these workers. According to the Goa Public Health Act, 1985, it is mandatory for all construction workers, especially migrant workers, to be screened for malaria and other diseases. They must also be given a health card issued by the public health department. Any violation by the contractors entails a fine of Rs 10,000.The indigenous cases of malaria (those among the local population) have been nil for the past two years. Goa, however, has imported cases from other states due to the migrant population that flocks to the coastal state from Karnataka, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.In 2022, Goa had two cases of malaria and no deaths. In 2023 and 2024, there were no positive cases and no fatalities. The state has not reported any malaria deaths since 2018. Goa is targeting the elimination of malaria by 2025-26.advertisementSubscribe to India Today Magazine