ILOILO – Five of the six provinces in Western Visayas have achieved malaria-free status, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras have no reported indigenous cases since 1995. Antique, on the other hand, was certified malaria-free by DOH in December 2019.
Only Negros Occidental has yet to achieve malaria-free status, said Malou Monegro, DOH Region 6 entomologist.
According to Monegro, the province’s target to achieve such status this year was derailed by the coronavirus pandemic with local authorities expending vital resources to curtail the spread of the viral illness.
“Gina-target sang DOH nga ma–deklarar malaria-free ang Negros Occidental sa masunod nga tuig,” Monegro said.
To be declared malaria-free, a province must have, among others, no indigenous case of malaria for five consecutive years.
A malaria case is considered indigenous if the patient contracted it in his or her locality and not from other places.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It causes fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches and could also cause yellow skin, seizures, coma, or death in severe cases.
According to Monegro, Negros Occidental’s last case of malaria was recorded in January 2020.
The patient was an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who came home from Africa and exhibited signs and symptoms similar to the disease.
“But the OFW was an imported case – meaning wala diri naghalin sa aton ang infection but sa iban nga pungsod or other endemic areas. Sang pagpauli lang diri nag-manifest ang symptoms,” explained Monegro.
Now, Monegro said, Negros Occidental is in the thick of complying with requirements to be declared malaria-free next year.
So far this year, DOH-6 recorded only one “imported” malaria case.
Last year, two imported malaria cases were recorded in the Iloilo municipalities of Lambunao and Barotac Viejo. The patients were both seamen who had traveled to areas outside the country where there were malaria cases.
In the Philippines, malaria cases have consistently been declining – from nearly 50,000 in 2003 to more than 5,000 in 2019, data from the National Malaria Control and Elimination Program of the DOH showed.
As of now, there is no effective malaria vaccine. The world’s first malaria vaccine, backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is exclusive for use in African countries.
Monegro said DOH-6 has been strengthening its information education campaign on malaria.
She encouraged the public to immediately report any suspected case and seek immediate treatment if they have the signs and symptoms of malaria.
November was declared Malaria Awareness Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 1168 signed on Nov. 10, 2006 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo./PN
