WHO declares province ‘Filariasis-free’

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here announced on Thursday that Bukidnon has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ‘Filariasis-Free.’

Dr. Josephine Ibalio, head of the Mosquito-Borne Diseases Department, said Bukidnon met the criteria set by WHO; the province was judged according to the following standards: 1) the prevalence rate of the disease should be less than one percent in identified areas; 2) there should be no positive among children aged two to four years old who were tested, and; 3) there should be no positive among the 3,000 new school entrants.

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Filariasis, also called as elephantiasis, is a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes affecting rural areas. The parasites lodge into the lymphatic system, an essential component of the body's immune defense system and disrupt the lymphatic flow of the blood thereby rendering the person prone to infections and acute attacks. It also causes disfiguration of limbs and swelling of body parts such as the genitals.
  
Symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, chills, wheezing and pain and swelling in the arms, breast, scrotum, penis, vulva and legs. 

Dr. Teresita Damasco, Provincial Health Officer, said before the declaration, a Filariasis Team conducted blood sampling to children aged six to seven years old in various towns of the province.  

“This is to see if there is still a positive indication of the dreaded disease. The Regional Filariasis team, however, found the blood smear examinations from the children to be negative,” Damasco said.

She added that they are celebrating this milestone, along with their partners Del Monte Philippines, Glaxo-Smiths & Kline, Department of Education and the local government units especially the barangay health workers, to show the world that filariasis can be beaten.

Perla Dinlayan, PHO information officer, said the success of eliminating mosquito-borne diseases in Bukidnon is due to the untiring support of their media partners, health advocates and all health workers in the province. 

The PHO Technical Office is now planning to hold a big celebration for being identified as a Filariasis-Free Zone by the last week of June to be attended by Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral and other dignitaries from the Department of Health central and regional offices. (PIA)