Claiming that the vector borne diseases are limited mostly to construction sites, the State Task Force on vector borne diseases, which held its maiden meeting today decided to focus on eliminating the diseases from the State. Addressing a press conference, after chairing the meeting of State Task Force Health Secretary Anand Prakash stated that though the diseases cannot be eradicated completely it can be controlled. He said that the diseases are mostly common in the areas of Panjim, Calangute and Candolim, where there is large scale construction and the migrant labours are infected by the mosquitoes. "This is caused due to unhealthy practices of the migrants, who do not use nets etc,' he said. He said that the Government has also made the health cards mandatory for all the migrants and those builders who do not adhere are fined suitably. According to the statistics available there were 12 deaths reported in the year 2007 due to Malaria (11), and Dengue (1). To check the spread of diseases the Government had given responsibilities to various departments namely Directorate of Municipal Administration/ Panchayats, PWD/Water Resources Department, Town and Country Planning, Director of Information/AIR/Doordarshan, Directorate of Education, Directorate of Industries/CII Indian Medical Association and the Goa Medical College. Help will also be sought from NGOs and local panchayats, he said. Prakash said "if we take all proper measures we will be able to keep the dangerous disease out of State in next three years,' he said. Prakash said that the help will also be sought from NGOs, panchayats etc to eradicate the diseases completely. The secretary also stated that the Health Department will employ more staff for the surveillance at the construction site.