Health authorities in Puerto Princesa has urged the public especially travelers to undergo checkup in a Malaria operation center in Irawan, located at the new bus terminal, a facility for early detection of Malaria.
They often urge the public for malaria checks, especially in endemic areas or after recent travel to such regions, due to malaria being a preventable, treatable, and potentially fatal disease.
As of present, Puerto Princesa has 64 cases of Malaria, health authorities said during the recent Dengue and Malaria Awareness Day.
In her presentation, Dr. Kristine Faith E. Rama of the City Health Office’s (CHO) Vector-Borne Diseases Prevention and Control Program said that of the recorded 64 cases, two are considered severe, while 61 are confirmed uncomplicated. She said that these confirmed uncomplicated Malaria patients can undergo.
Of the 64 total number of cases, Napsan has the highest number of Malaria cases at 61. Macarascas on the hand has 6 recorded cases, San Miguel has 5, while Luzviminda and Tiniguiban with 4 cases each.
Among the types of mosquitoes that caused Malaria includes Anopheles favirostris, Anopheles maculatus, Anopheles mangyanus, Anopheles litoralis, and Anopheles Balabacensis. Individuals ages 21-30 years old are among the age group identified as those with highest number infected with Malaria.
Dr. Rama said that Anopheles mosquitoes that caused Malaria are active from 6pm until 6am.
“At mula10pm hanggang alas dos ng madaling araw ang pinaka aktibong pangangagat ng mga lamok na ito,” she said.
Among those exposed to Malaria are tourists, military personnel, indigenous people, forester, farmers and those who live in mountainous areas.
Ms. Mary Jane Rojo, project officer of Pilipinas Shell Foundation on their Malaria project emphasized the importance of awareness in an effort to eliminate Malaria.
She said that nowadays, there are already rapid access to diagnostic and treatment.
“Nagbibigay na ng mga microscope sa satellite clinic (ng city) para accessible ang mga Malaria services,” she explained.
Among the interventions aimed to combat Malaria are indoor residual spraying, Malaria surveillance, Malaria response training, among others.
