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Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Negros Occidental is malaria-free
By Joseph Alvin A. Treyes
THE Provincial Health Office (PHO) declared Monday that Negros Occidental is free from malaria.
Dr. Luisa Efren, provincial health officer, told Sun.Star Bacolod that the province along with Negros Oriental has conducted joint border operations to check the spread of the mosquito-borne parasitic disease.
"There are no reasons why everyone should be alarmed as of the moment," Efren stressed.
The disease is caused by a microorganism known as Plasmodium which Anopheles mosquitoes ingest from contaminated water source.
This parasite causes all four varieties of malaria known to man--P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum, allendemic to tropical and subtropical countries.
P. falciparum (Cerebral malaria or Blackwater fever) is said to be deadliest of the four and commonly reported from densely forested areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, among others.
Efren said prevention is still the key to avoid the spread of malaria and even dengue hemorrhagic fever.
"We must destroy all possible breeding places of mosquitoes," Efren suggested. She added that mosquito larvae could also be controlled by predator fishes such as carp and tilapia that feed on them.
If a person decides to visit a place where reports of malaria has been noted, one should administer the right treatment and preventive measure in order to boost his immune system, Efren said.
She added that local entomologists have already monitored every area in the province and so far Negros Occidental is free from malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Efren said authorities shouldn't rely much on using harmful pesticides for fogging operation.
"It should be the last recourse as everyone should observe the Clean Air Act," she said.
The previous malaria case in the province was noted late last year when the victim arrived from Palawan.
However, the victim was able to recuperate from his ailment, she said.
(June 7, 2005 issue)
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