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Monday, June 27, 2005
Health officials denies report of malaria outbreak
By Edwin G. Espejo
CITY health officials here last week denied reports of an outbreak of malaria cases even if one person had already died and at least 25 other residents of Barangay Apopong were treated to the said mosquito-borne disease two weeks ago.
Dr. Mely Lastimoso, social hygiene center coordinator of the City Health Office, said the patients, who all came from Purok San Lorenzo Ruiz in Barangay Apopong, were already treated and that the potentially fatal disease had already been contained.
Two weeks ago, a certain Felipe de la Cruz died of cerebral malaria at the City District Hospital alarming the local government after 25 others were also admitted for contamination.
City Health Officer Dr. Virginia Ramirez however assured residents here that the disease was already under control.
"There was no outbreak. We have cases because the area is endemic of malaria-borne mosquitoes," she told reporters in a press conference organized by acting mayor Lourdes Casabuena.
Dr. Ramirez also clarified that de la Cruz, the lone fatality, was already a carrier of the disease and had been in San Lorenzo village in Apopong for medication.
She believed de la Cruz died after he was bitten by "vectors" or malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
She likewise surmised that those who were admitted at the hospital may have been infected through the victim.
As of this writing, all patients were already treated and have already recovered.
Lastimoso explained that cerebral malaria is a complication of the disease, which develops when the malarial parasite reaches the brain.
Malaria was described by doctors as a serious, sometimes fatal, disease caused by a parasite.
Humans reportedly get it from the bite of a malaria-infected mosquito.
Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness.
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur.
The last recorded malaria outbreak in this city was also recorded in barangay Apopong in 1996, where at least 40 people were affected.
Lastimoso likewise allayed fears of the possible further spread of malaria to other areas.
She said preventive measures are now being undertaken by their office, especially the conduct of intensive clean up of the possible breeding areas of the mosquitoes carrying the disease and the fogging operations on the affected areas.
"Malaria can be prevented and treated if one is already infected by it. We have available medicines for it," he said. (with reports from Allen V. Estabillo)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(June 27, 2005 issue)
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