NewsDesk @bactiman63
Health officials in South Cotabato are reporting a filariasis case in a remote sitio in Koronadal City.
The individual in Sitio El Lalam, Barangay Assumption tested positive of filariasis parasite in a nocturnal blood smearing conducted among 38 residents of the sub-village on Friday, January 20. The patient is being treated.
Teams from Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) and City Health Office conducted immediate follow-up case finding and expanded nocturnal blood smearing in the area and neighboring places; no other person tested positive of the parasite.
Indoor residual spraying in all houses, initially in Sitio El Lalam, as well as vector mapping to determine the presence of mosquito species that carry the filariasis parasite are also underway.
The Province of South Cotabato was declared filariasis-free in November 2017 after the area recorded a nearly zero prevalence rate in a five-year period.
Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne, parasitic disease that can affect the lymphatic system and lead to abnormal enlargement of body parts (lymphedema (tissue swelling) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of the limbs and, in men, hydrocele (scrotal swelling). It can cause pain and lead to permanent disfigurement and severe disability, often resulting in people losing their livelihood and suffering from stigma, anxiety and depression.
- Philippines reports increases in most infectious diseases in 2022
- Guinea Worm Disease: ‘We are heartened that eradication can be achieved soon,’ says former President Carter
- Bangladesh: Additional Nipah virus death reported in 2023
- Salmonella outbreaks linked to pet bearded dragons update
- Brazil: Norovirus linked to Florianópolis acute diarrhea epidemic
- Thailand reports increase in melioidosis in 2022
- Grizzly bears test positive for avian influenza in Montana, First documented cases