DOH steps up fight vs malaria, filariasis in CV

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health-Central Visayas is intensifying its campaign against malaria and filariasis in the region, particularly in Barangay Nagbinlod, Santa Catalina in Negros Oriental, which was declared as a malaria endemic area.

Malaria and filariasis, which are diseases carried by mosquitoes, are common in a tropical country but these can be prevented with proper information dissemination and community cooperation, said DOH-7 medical technologist Crestita Gloria.

"Sa Nagbinlod, kinahanglan pa gyud nato diha ang pag-intensify sa awareness," Gloria said.

According to Gloria, malaria-carrying female mosquito Anopheles can be found in areas with many trees and plants, in clear streams and in slow-running water.

For three years now, there have been no cases of filariasis in Cebu, said Gloria, as DOH further aims for a filariasis-free region in 2016.

"The last case in the region was in Negros Oriental in August 19, 2011 while three malaria cases are recorded in the same province last year," Gloria said.

Dr. Francis Niño Cañedo, medical officer of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, said that malaria symptoms include fever, fatigue, vomiting and headache. In severe cases, it can cause yellow skin, seizure, coma or death.

Filariasis, on the other hand, is a parasitic disease caused by thread-like roundworms belonging to the Filarioidea type spread by black-flies and Aedes mosquitoes.

Cañedo explains that in this case, the worms suck the nutrients in the lymph nodes of a human body and once the worm dies, it obstructs the lymphatic vessels, causing swelling and enlargement of body parts.

"It will take five to 15 years before the deformity will be noticed which make it a chronic disease," Cañedo said, adding that there is no cure to filariasis, but medications to minimize the swelling are available.

Usual symptoms of a lymphatic filariasis include elephantiasis or the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues. Upper extremities are less affected as the worm usually affects the legs and genitals.

The disease can also cause blindness.

"This is the reason why if ever you have fever for three days, it's better to see a doctor right away," said Cañedo.

The DOH has advised the Rural Health Units to do active surveillance in their respective areas so that investigation can be conducted and the transmission of such diseases will be prevented. —  (FREEMAN)