DOH: Clustering of malaria cases reported in Puerto Princesa barangay

There was a reported “clustering” of malaria cases in Barangay Irawan in Palawan's Puerto Princesa City since April this year, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.

The DOH said 31 malaria cases were detected from April 26 to June 30, though all had recovered as of July 5.

The cases were aged between less than a month old to 50 years old. Over half, 55% or 12 cases, were female.

Barangay Irawan’s Zone 14 also had the highest reported cases at 24 among the five zones affected by the disease.

Common signs and symptoms of malaria, such as headaches, dizziness, body malaise, fever, and epigastric pain, were experienced by those infected.

The DOH said that malaria remained endemic in Puerto Princesa City.

Currently, 80 out of 81 provinces in the Philippines are now malaria-free, with Palawan the only province where malaria cases were detected in the past several years.

The DOH said the Irawan Barangay Health Station had already managed the cases, while the Puerto Princesa City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit had conducted case investigations and health education on the importance of a clean environment.

Misting and stream clearing in Zones 12, 13, and 14 were also initiated under the Vector Born Prevention and Control Program, and long-lasting insecticidal nets and medications were provided.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria is a “life-threatening disease” spread to humans by certain types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries, and is usually preventable and curable. — DVM, GMA Integrated News