The Philippines recorded a total of 4,777 malaria cases from January to September this year, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
This is up from the 3,307 from the same period in 2022.
Jhobert Bernal, technical supervisor of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine’s National Reference Laboratories for Malaria and other Parasites, said malaria remains a significant global health challenge affecting millions of lives, particularly vulnerable sectors.
Among the provinces that continue to report malaria are Occidental Mindoro, Sultan Kudarat, and Palawan.
Bernal said Palawan registered the highest number of malaria cases, accounting for 80% to 90% of the total.
The most affected include those aged five years old to 19, pregnant women, and those with recurring infections.
“Importante po ito (immediate testing and consultation) para mabigyan agad ng lunas o magamot ang isang tao at ma-prevent at hindi na po kumalat ang sakit sa komunidad,” Bernal said.
November is declared as Malaria Awareness Month to address rising cases of malaria.
Although fatal, malaria is preventable and curable.
The DOH said the goal is to declare 81 out of the 82 provinces nationwide as malaria-free, with Palawan being the remaining focus. – Report from Mark Fetalco-ag