Capiz requests anti-filariasis drugs from DOH
ROXAS CITY – The provincial government has requested from the Department of Health (DOH) the needed medicines for its plan to conduct selective treatment of filariasis cases in Tapaz town.
"We are still waiting for the medicines," said Provincial Health Officer Jarvis Punsalan.
The upcoming treatment is among the Provincial Health Office's (PHO) next steps following the first ever documented filariasis cases in Capiz during a survey last September.
A province-wide deformity survey is also included in the actions to take by the provincial health authorities to identify and document possible filariasis cases in other towns.
Filariasis is a disease caused by worms transmitted to humans through bites of infected females mosquitoes. It may manifest as recurrent fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and urine with color similar to rice washing.
"If not treated, the disease can lead to enlargement of the thigh, leg, breast or scrotum," said a PHO press release.
Taking the medicines will stop the progression of the disease and prevent its transmission to others, the release noted. (PIA/A.Lumaque)