Albay declared Filariasis-free province

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 13 (PIA) -- Albay is now Filariasis free following declaration and certification of the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said the health agencies’ assertion of a Filarisis-free Albay province is another milestone achievement for the provincial government and the people as gregarious efforts to combat this disease in the province for years have finally been rewarded.

Salceda added that such another successful feat in the field of public health plays a big part in pursuit of really making Albay one the most liveable provinces in the country.

DOH assistant secretary Dr. Gerry Bayugo and WHO representative Dennis Romerick Tuazon led the conferment of the certificate for Filaria-free Albay yesterday to the provincial government, led by Salceda and provincial health officials.

Salceda also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the DOH and WHO have been of help and lauded the local health authorities for carrying out an effective campaign against Filariasis, a mosquito born disease.

Filariasis, which is commonly known as “elephantiasis” because the victim’s legs and arms would swell to a size like those of an elephant’s, is a disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes.

Symptoms of this illness are pain and swelling of the breast, vagina, scrotum, legs, and arms; fever, cough, chills, and wheezing.

Filariasis, also locally known as “buyong” (scrotal enlargement) and “tibak” (elephantiasis), involves parasites living along the lymphatic channels of affected humans.

Transmitted by mosquito bites, the illness causes enlargement of the scrotum, breasts, arms and legs of its victims leading to a lifetime of disability or death from severe skin infection. Filariasis is a disease group affecting humans and animals caused by nematode parasites of the order Filariidae, commonly called filariae.

Dr. Chito Mendoza, provincial health officer, said the office has sustained health awareness campaigns, surveillance, strengthened coordination and cooperation with rural health units and barangay health workers to make the province also free from leprosy, DPT, missiles, malaria, and recently filaria.

Mendoza also bared that the provincial epidemiologist recorded cases of filariasis in 2002 with 28 people afflicted with the disease in the towns of Manito, Daraga, Tiwi, Sto Domingo, Pioduran and Polangui.

He noted that public campaign and intervention to control the spread of these diseases, resulted to the decrease of the number of six in 2009 and no new cases reported this year.

Mendoza averred Albay province has attained a certain level based on the parameter of DOH wherein these diseases are considered no longer a public threat making it a basis for declaring the province Filaria free.

He furthered that aside from the Zero Casualty goal in times of disasters and emergencies, the province has aimed for a Zero Incidence in terms of health or Disease Free Zone.

Tuazon meanwhile said that among the six Bicol provinces, Albay and Sorsogon have already been declared as Filariasis-free provinces.

Tuazon citing WHO statistics said 44 provinces across the country have widespread cases of filariasis of which only 12 are filarial free this include Albay and Sorsogon.

DOH, on the other hand, has expressed confidence that the country will be declared Filariasis-free by 2018 as the agency is set to declare more provinces as Filariasis-free within the year, the likes of Eastern Samar and Marinduque. (MAL-PIA5/ALbay)