Aklan has highest number of filariasis cases in WV
Aklan province registered the highest number of filariasis cases in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Health 6.
A DOH 6 study revealed that Aklan has a microfilaria rate of 6.20 percent followed by the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, and Antique.
Filariasis, which is endemic to Panay Island, comes from bacteria being delivered by female mosquitoes. Victims who are suffering from filariasis normally have permanently large parts of the body due to the infected mosquito bite.
The DOH 6 discovered filariasis cases in the hinterlands of Libacao and Madalag. Those infected in Iloilo were found in several barangays of Janiuay and Lambunao amd Concepcion.
Cases in Capiz were reported in Tapaz and Dumalag towns while in Antique, in Valderrama and Bugasong towns.
The DOH 6 has scheduled a free mass vaccination against filariasis this October.
Those who have asthma and are pregnant mothers, however, are not included.*PNA
