Albay Philippines | Philippine News Agency: The Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol disclosed Malaria cases and deaths in the country are now on the downtrend.
DOH Bicol Regional Director Nestor Santiago said among the Bicol provinces now cited by the DOH as malaria-free are Albay and Sorsogon aside from Samar, Eastern Samar, Marinduque, and Surigao del Norte.
Out of the country's 81 provinces, 59 are endemic for malaria.
Santiago explained that Albay's last indigenous case was in 1997 in the towns of Manito and Rapu-rapu.
Vector control activities (such as seeding of streams with larvivorous fish, focal spraying) and mosquito collection were done to ensure that no case of malaria will occur.
However, regular activities (such as stream clearing, distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets) are still being conducted coupled with vigilance against suspected cases to maintain their status.
In 2002, Sorsogon reported their last case of malaria in the municipality of Donsol. Blood smears from different barangays were taken and were negative to the disease.
In 2006, DOH data showed that there were 35,405 cases and 122 deaths from Malaria in the country, a 23 precent and 18 percent reduction, respectively compared to the 2005 malaria report.
The DOH said Malaria is a disease common in rural areas and is one of the mosquito-borne diseases affecting 11 million people living in hilly or mountainous, remote areas of the country where access to and availability of basic health services and correct information are difficult for the people at risk.
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