Campaign vs. malaria in NegOr continues

With more malaria cases reported this year, the Department of Health in Negros Oriental is continually conducting massive blood survey and vector control in endemic-prone areas in the province.

Already 12 cases have been reported since January to March this year, a big increase from the total six (6) cases recorded in 2004.

Of the 12 malaria cases reported, eight are from Nagbinlod, Sta. Catalina; two from Bayawan City; and one each from Basay and Siaton.

Suzie Sayre, Officer in Charge Provincial Malaria Coordinator of DOH, in an interview said that malaria cases usually occur in rural areas where there is slow-flowing water and shady areas.

DOH field attendant workers are regularly conducting house-to-house blood survey where a blood smear is collected from febrile cases or persons with fever in the identified endemic-prone areas in the province.

According to Sayre, the said areas are Mabinay, Tanjay City, Pamplona, Amlan, San Jose, Sibulan, Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bayawan City and Basay.

She explains that malaria is spread by anopheles, the mosquito infected with malaria.

Symptoms include fever, headache, body malaise (tiredness) and profuse sweating.