Malaria still endemic in 4 provinces

MANILA, Philippines — Four provinces remain endemic for malaria as the Philippines races to be declared malaria-free by 2030, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said yesterday.

These provinces are Palawan, Sulu, Occidental Mindoro and Sultan Kudarat.

Duque said 50 provinces have been declared malaria-free while 27 others are “under elimination phase.”  

He said six towns in southern Palawan account for 95 percent of the cases nationwide.

A total of 4,870 cases and four deaths due to malaria were reported last year.

The Department of Health aims to reduce malaria incidence by 90 percent in 2022. 

Duque said various strategies would be implemented, including early diagnosis and complete treatment as well as use of insecticide-treated nets to achieve a malaria-free status.         

He said malaria is preventable if key measures are observed, such as awareness of endemic areas, bite prevention by wearing long-sleeved clothes and using insect repellants and mosquito nets and prophylactic treatment when travelling to endemic areas. 

Duque said those who manifest malaria symptoms should seek immediate medical consultation.

Malaria is contracted from bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, which breed in rivers and lakes.  It can also be transmitted through blood transfusion and mother to child before and or during birth.

Symptoms, including high fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, usually start nine to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.