DOH declares malaria epidemic in Camarines Norte

The Department of Health in Bicol region has declared a malaria epidemic in Camarines Norte province after recording 182 cases there. DOH officials said that while most of the cases were in Jose Panganiban town, the epidemic was declared province-wide to prepare local health officials against the spread of the disease. The DOH Bicol is closely monitoring malaria cases in areas near the border of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, specifically in the towns of Sipocot and Lupi, to prevent further spread of the disease, according to an article posted Saturday on the ReliefWeb site. Incidentally, the DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO) have already declared as malaria-free some of the region's provinces – these are: Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate. Further assessment and validation is being done in Camarines Sur for it to be declared malaria-free. DOH Bicol Malaria Prevention and Control Program coordinator Camilo Aquino said the DOH team dispatched to Jose Panganiban found out that most victims were children and elderly. At least 20 percent were members of a tribal community. Health officials lamented more victims barely recovered or treated totally as health workers had difficulty in administering treatment. In many cases, patients would refuse to follow procedures, like the schedule of taking medicines. Aquino said malaria is a disease caused by the parasite plasmodium, usually transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The parasites multiply in the liver and infect red blood cells. Symptoms include fever, headache and vomiting. They usually appear 10 to 15 days after infection. — LBG, GMANews.TV