FOUR provinces continue to be endemic for malaria, preventing the country from being declared as malaria-free.
In a statement on the observance of the World Malaria Day, the Department of Health (DOH) disclosed that Palawan, Sulu, Occidental Mindoro, and Sultan Kudarat continue to see local transmission of malaria.
“Four provinces remain endemic for malaria as the country races to be declared malaria-free by 2030,” said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.
In 2018, a total of 4,870 malaria cases with four deaths were reported.
More than nine of 10 cases, or 95 percent, were from Palawan, The remaining 5 percent were from the rest of the country.
Of the 81 provinces in the country, 50 have been declared as malaria-free while the other 27 are now under elimination phase.
Malaria is contracted from a bite of an infective female Anopheles mosquito that breeds in rivers and lakes or if transmitted by blood transfusion, and possibly mother to child before and or during birth.
The symptoms usually start in 9 to 14 days after the bite of an infective mosquito.
The symptoms include high fever, headache, chills and shivers, nausea and vomiting.
In severe form, it may include severe vomiting and diarrhea, generalized convulsion, delirium and impaired consciousness, followed by coma and possibly death. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)