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By Katrice R. Jalbuena,
Reporter
The 322 cases of Malaria recorded
in Antipolo are not enough to constitute an outbreak.
The Department of Health assured
the public on Wednesday that the reported increase in the number of
malaria cases in Antipolo is not a cause for alarm.
“We are working closely with
the local government of Antipolo to control the rise of malaria
cases,” said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque 3rd. “However,
we would like to stress that there is no outbreak. The number of
cases reported is consistent with the usual expected occurrence in
malaria endemic areas.”
Last week the local government of
Antipolo reported an increase in the number of malaria cases in
several barangays since the start of the year: San Juan, San Jose
and San Roque.
A total of 322 cases from January
1 to June 6 of this year were reported. While this is an increase
from the 184 cases reported over the same period last year, this is
still not enough for this to constitute an outbreak.
Antipolo is considered an endemic
area for malaria. With the arrival of the rainy season—June to
August—and an expected increase in the number of mosquitoes the
number of reported malaria cases is expected to increase.
However, according to the
findings of the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) and the World
Health Organization, there is no outbreak.
Mass blood screening of the
affected areas is being undergone to determine the extent of the
population infected with malaria parasites.
“As of Wednesday afternoon, the
NEC has finished the first batch of mass blood screenings from Sitio
Sapinit, Barangay San Juan,” said Dr. Eric Tayag of the
epidemiology center. “Of the 340 residents tested only four people
have been found positive for malaria.”
For an outbreak to be declared in
the area, at least 10 percent of the local population has to test
positive for malaria.
“There is no outbreak because
the number of malaria cases is still within the normal expected
occurrence,” said Tayag. “No deaths have been reported due to
malaria.”
Mass blood screening is
continuing in the affected areas for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Indoor-residual screening of households is being done in all
affected barangay’s and is expected to be done in the next two
weeks.
In the succeeding weeks, the
health department and the local government of Antipolo will continue
to advocate the use of insecticide treated mosquito nets for more
efficient long-term malaria control.
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