Kalinga has most number of malaria cases in CAR - group

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - The province of Kalinga still has the most number of malaria cases in the Cordillera region while the town of Paracelis in Mountain Province accounts for almost all of the province's malaria cases. This was based on figures released by an official of the Global Fund Malaria who said that Paracelis town registered 240 malaria cases in 2007 while the rest of the Mountain Province had only three. From January to April this year, project coordinator Lorna Panyo said that Paracelis registered 57 cases. The figures, she said, were based on records from the Provincial Health Office. However, the Global Fund Malaria said that Kalinga, remains to be the province with the most malaria cases in Cordillera. In 2007, Pinukpuk town had 90 cases followed by Rizal with 65 and Tabuk City with 46. The rest of the other towns had about 50 malaria cases. Panyo said that the proximity of Paracelis to Kalinga may have contributed to the high incidence of malaria in the town. She said that they will continue to distribute treated mosquito nets in the town to minimize malaria cases. Panyo said that the residents would have to be taught the proper washing and drying of these malaria nets. - GMANews.TV