DOH to tap DOLE for anti-filariasis drive
The Department of Health 6 is planning to tap the Department of Labor and Employment in requiring both public and private agencies to include filariasis vaccination as one of employment requirements.
Health Assistant Regional Director Marlyn Convocar said this is the most effective way to oblige employees to have themselves vaccinated.
“Maybe then, we could reach the 85 percent elimination target,” she said, adding that the vaccination is free for all.
“This is for our own safety. If we just neglect this opportunity, each one of us could be a victim,” she said.
Four out of six provinces in Western Visayas have filariasis cases. Only Guimaras and Negros Occidental have no reported cases.
The first filariasis case was discovered in Lambunao, Iloilo in 2007, followed by the one in Capiz after a year. The mass drug administration (MDA) in Iloilo is already on its third year while in Capiz, on its second year.
Both Aklan and Antique will conduct their first round of MDA within the year.
Filariasis is caused by microscope thread-like worms that live in the human lymph system. It could be transmitted through mosquito bites. Physical abnormalities in other parts of the body would take five to 15 years.
Filariasis has affected 83 countries. Around 120 million people have been affected and 1.1 billion are at risk by the infection.
Around 43 million out of 120 million affected are now showing symptoms.
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Meanwhile, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office has released an advisory on to avoid being infected with the lymphatic filariasis.
Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado, provincial health officer, said if one lives in an area with lymphatic filariasis cases, one should observe sleeping under a mosquito net, put screen in windows and doors, use mosquito repellent on exposed skin and use protective clothing when working in the field.
Trabado said an infected person bitten by a mosquito may carry filariasis parasites to another person.
“Once the area has filariasis cases, there is a big possibility that it would spread to the entire community through a mosquito bite,” she said.
Most of the victims are fishermen and farmers because they are mostly exposed to water and farm where mosquitoes commonly breed.
Aside from this, mosquitoes carrying filariasis parasites are found in banana plantation, water lilies, and other cool places.
Trabado said the youngest among the victims is a three-year-old baby from Lambunao, Iloilo.
There is no medicine yet that can cure an infected person.
Trabado said the only solution for now is to eliminate the parasite by observing proper protection and drinking the prescribe medicines.*
