Daijiworld Media Network - Gao (MB
from special correspondent

Panaji, Jul 19: Goa’s two top tourist destinations and a capital city are amongst the five places infested by malaria disease, the officials confirmed.

``Panaji, Margao, Candolim, Calangute and Taleigao are listed as places where most of the malaria cases are reported,’’ state health secretary Anand Prakash, told reporters today.

Candolim and Calangute are two top beach tourist destinations in North Goa while Panaji is the capital city of this state on the western coast. Taleigao is Panaji’s suburb while Margao is the commercial capital of Goa.

``The state has reported 785 cases of malaria falciparum and 2,095 malaria vivax, which is alarming,’’ Prakash stated denying that the disease has taken an epidemic proportion in the state.

The health secretary, who chaired a hi-level meeting to tackle the problem in the state secretariat, today, pointed out that migrant population is the main reason for spreading of this disease. ``Around 85 per cent of people with malaria are migrant labourers working on construction sites,’’ he said.

Earlier this week, state health minister Vishwajit Rane, had warned stern action against erring builders.

"The action has begun… Construction licenses of three builders are suspended for not obeying the rules… The health department officials are inspecting all the construction sites checking whether health cards are issued to the labourers,’’ Prakash said.

Taking the drive further, the state government has chalked out cleanliness drive throughout the state between July 25 to July 31 involving all the municipalities, panchayats and schools.