Filariasis treatment in Capiz kicks off
ROXAS CITY – A selective treatment of 41 filariasis victims from the various barangays of Tapaz will kick off today.
Provincial Health Office (PHO) Medical Specialist IV Evelyn T. Bolido said the medicines requested by the provincial government from the Department of Health (DOH) are now available and ready for the scheduled treatment.
"The PHO will give them medicines that they will take in the next 12 days," Bolido said.
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.
An ongoing province-wide random deformity survey is also included in the actions taken 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 female 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)