Health authorities campaigns for Filariasis eradication in Eastern Visayas

By GAY B. GASPAY (PIA 8)
November 9, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – The Department of Health (DOH), Region-8 presently intensifies its campaign to eradicate permanent disability caused by the disease called filariasis.

Filariasis otherwise called in medical term as Elephantiasis or “buyong” in waray-waray speaking areas has affected a number of people in region 8, with Northern Samar as the highly affected area.

With its theme: “Filariasis Sugpuin, Gamot ay Inumin Isang Beses Isang Taon sa Loob ng Limang Taon”. Filariasis eradication by year 2010 is the prime aim of DOH and other stakeholders.

During the Filariasis Symposia & Presscon held recently at SMED Center, Taloban City, Region 8 DOH Regional Director Benita Pastor said that the eradication of Filariasis is one of the flagship program of the present administration under its comprehensive health service delivered plan, embodied in the policies signed by the President through Exec. Order No. 399 declaring every November as Mass Treatment for Filariasis in endemic areas.

It is likewise included in DOH-Formula One Program implementation framework pushing for health systems and health sector reforms on the “Disease-Free Zones Initiative” focusing on the elimination of certain disease to mention Filariasis as one of that disease, Director Pastor added.

Filariasis, according to National Center for Disease Prevention & Control, medical officer Dr. Leda Hernandez, one of the speakers during the symposia and presscon, is a parasitic disease caused by a microscopic threadlike worm called Wuchereria Bancrofti and Brugia Malaya is transmitted through bites of mosquitoes from an infected person to another.

This threadlike worms enters the body of a person through mosquito bites and usually lodges in lymph nodes. The disease is characterized by swelling of the legs, arms, breast, vagina, and scrotum. With signs and symptoms of pain, on and off fever, cough, chills, wheezing, headache, body malaise and cloudy urine for acute cases, then a person is affected with the disease.

During the early stage of infection, if a person did not submit herself/himself for blood examination no symptoms can be seen. Persons are advised to undergo an annual blood examination if they live in risk communities and to submit themselves at once for treatment if found positive of the disease so as to avoid permanent swelling of affected areas of the body.  Filariasis can be treated by stopping the spread of infection through breaking the cycle of transmission in five years time through what they call Mass Treatment subjecting every person in the community to drink the medication once a year for five years.

This disease is endemic in some areas of the country to include the Provinces of Bicol, Samar, Leyte and Davao. Mosquitoes with filariasis infection usually dwells under the leaves of an Abaca, Pandan and Banana tress and under the leaves of a rootcrop plant called gabi or gaway.

In order to avoid Filariasis affliction especially those living in endemic areas, they are advised to use mosquito nets while sleeping,  use of mosquito and insect repellants, wearing of long sleeves and long pants while in filariasis identified areas and to screen their houses. Burn dried leaves to create smoke which will drive away mosquitoes.