ILOILO City – Western Visayas has not recorded any imported or indigenous case of malaria since 2021 and has remained malaria-free until this year.
Negros Occidental was the last province in the region to be declared malaria-free in August 2021.
The provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo were declared free from the disease in 1993 yet while Antique’s declaration was in 2019.
The Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 cited the strong support of various stakeholders and the community in maintaining the region’s status, according to Entomologist III Maria Lourdes Monegro, coordinator of DOH-6’s Regional Aedes Borne Viral Disease Prevention and Control Program and Malaria/Lymphatic Filariasis/Schistosomiasis Program.
To be considered malaria-free, an area must meet the following requirements:
* no locally acquired confirmed indigenous cases in the last five years
* a functional Provincial Malaria Elimination and Response Hub
* functional provincial surveillance and response system
* functional system for diagnostic and treatment for malaria cases
* functional entomological surveillance
* functional quality assurance system for malaria microscopy and vector control
* local ordinances to support malaria activities
As the country celebrates Malaria Awareness Month this November, the DOH-6 further strengthened its information, education and communication (IEC) campaign to all local government units (LGUs) in the region, different stakeholder partners and community to maintain the malaria-free status.
This is in line with the national government’s goal to achieve the malaria- and filariasis-free Philippines by 2030.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
People with malaria often experience fever, chills and flu-like illness. Left untreated, they may develop severe complications and die.
Malaria symptoms include high fever, headache, chills and shivers, nausea and vomiting.
In severe form, it may include severe vomiting and diarrhea, generalized convulsion, delirium and impaired consciousness, followed by coma and possibly death.
How to Maintain Malaria-free Status?
Monegro, in an interview with Panay News, said aside from the strong support of stakeholders and community, they also have a big role in maintaining the malaria-free status.
“Strong support of the different provinces/cities has a significant contribution in maintaining the zero indigenous case of malaria in the region,” said Monegro.
Another factors that could be of help in maintaining the status are the fully functional surveillance system that has the capability to conduct surveillance through investigation and prompt reporting of malaria cases on every LGU and functional Provincial Malaria Elimination Hub.
Other significant factors in maintaining malaria-free status are the following:
* Early detection, prompt treatment and reporting and recording of cases through Online Malaria Information System are also significant. With these, an individual suspected of acquiring malaria or exhibiting signs and symptoms could immediately be assessed;
* Provision of vector control commodities like long lasting insecticide net and insecticides;
* Readily available malaria drugs at the Provincial Malaria Elimination Hub;
* Continuous capability building provided by the region; and
* Continuous advocacy and awareness campaign about malaria.
WV Malaria Cases
DOH-6 record showed that Western Visayas listed four malaria cases in 2013; three each in years 2014 and 2015; five in 2016; three in 2017; four in 2018; six in 2019; and one in 2020.
These cases were all imported, or cases obtained elsewhere in the country or abroad.
Measures for malaria prevention include awareness of endemic areas, bite prevention through the wearing of long-sleeved clothes and using of insect repellants and mosquito nets (preferably insecticide-treated), and prophylactic treatment when travelling to endemic areas.
At risk of becoming infected with malaria are infants, pregnant women, persons living with HIV-AIDS, children aged five years and below, as well as people with low immunity moving to areas with intense malaria transmission such as migrant workers, mobile populations and travellers.
With this, Monegro reminded the public especially those who have a history of travel to malaria endemic areas within the country or abroad for the past two weeks who have persistent signs and symptoms of malaria to go to the nearest health facility.
“Consult immediately with the nearest health facility on your locality for immediate diagnosis and treatment. We can protect ourselves by using insect repellent and mosquito net to avoid mosquito bites,” Monegro said.
The first symptoms – fever, headache and chills – usually appear 10 to 15 days after the infective mosquito bite and may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria.
Left untreated, malaria can progress to severe illness and death within a period of 24 hours.
In 2020, according to WHO, nearly half of the world’s population were at risk of malaria.
Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduces disease, prevents deaths and contributes to reducing transmission.
WHO recommends that all suspected cases of malaria be confirmed using parasite-based diagnostic testing (through either microscopy or a rapid diagnostic test).
Diagnostic testing enables health providers to swiftly distinguish between malarial and non-malarial fevers, facilitating appropriate treatment.
The best available treatment, WHO added, is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). The primary objective of treatment is to ensure the rapid and full elimination of Plasmodium parasites to prevent an uncomplicated case of malaria from progressing to severe disease or death./PN
