Compostela Valley remains filariasis-free

The province of Compostela Valley takes pride being recognized as filariasis-free for two consecutive years now.
Since 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the province as a filariasis-free. Compostela Valley is the second province in Mindanao and the seventh in the country declared as filariasis-free province by WHO,Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Renato Basanes said.
Apart from being filariasis-free, Dr. Basanes also said that since January this year, the province has not recorded any case on malaria.
Filariasis is an infection caused by microscopic, thread-like worms called filarial worms. This parasitic disease is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito which develops into adult worms in the lymphatic vessels.
“The provincial government, in partnership with the DOH, local government units, and Global Fund Malaria with the participation of the Pilipinas Shell Foundation continue to strengthen the Malaria Control Program through various activities such as distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLIN), rivers and canal clean-up drive, medical outreach, boarder operation, and other forms of public health and safety interventions,” he said.
Basanes also noted that the provincial government, through the PHO and Rural Health Units (RHUs), is intensively implementing the program, not only to achieve the goal of turning the province into a malaria-free province, but more importantly to protect the health of the Comvalenos.[PNA]