Health authorities in Rizal, Palawan are closely monitoring the situation in one of the town’s barangays after 300 malaria cases were reported in the first 10 months of the year.
Rutchel Laborera, acting municipal health officer, said Thursday that Barangay Ransang remained the highest in comparison to other barangays.
She said that they were currently closely monitoring the barangay to prevent the possible increase in the number of the mosquito-borne disease.
“Barangay Ransang remained highest in malaria cases even last year. We are closely monitoring the barangay as of now. We have also declared a series of outbreak previously we remained highest compared to other barangay,” he said.
Because of this recent incidence of malaria in Palawan, the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Municipal Health Office (MHO), Kilusan Ligtas Malaria (KLM), Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) are now distributing long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs).
“We have also dispatched volunteered health workers in the barangay. As well as distribution of the LLINs,” she said.
Recently, Department of Health (DOH) MIMAROPA Regional Director Dr. Mario Baquilod said that they have intensified indoor residual spraying (IRS) in three municipalities in a bid to eliminate malaria in these areas.
In Palawan, the southern part has had the most cases of malaria, particularly in the mountainous areas.
In 2019, the province had a total of 5,066 cases recorded, with the town of Rizal reporting 3,516 cases, Bataraza with 835, and Brooke’s Point with 715.
For this year, there are still no data available on the extent of malaria incidence in the province.