By Franklin P. Gumapon
PAGADIAN CITY – To eliminate the so-called
neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Zamboanga Peninsula, a team from the
Department of Health (DOH)-9 has conducted a media forum on filariasis,
schistosomiasis, capillariasis including intestinal worms at the Guillermo
Hotel here recently.
In her message, Dr. Agnes Fernando, DOH-Zamboanga del Sur
chief, emphasized the important role played by the press in giving the communities
correct information on these tropical diseases that are treatable.
Fernando disclosed that there are cases of filariasis
recorded in Zamboanga del Sur particularly in the municipalities of Bayog,
Kumalarang and Guipos.
Filariasis, which is a parasitic diseases caused by an
infection with roundworm of the Filarioidea type, is spread by blood feeding
black flies and mosquitoes. It results in the thickening of the skin and
underlying tissues.
She also reported that schistosomiasis in Zamboanga del Sur
has not yet been fully eliminated. “The prevalence of schistosomiasis in the
province is high,” she said.
Schistosomiasis is caused by a parasitic blood fluke that
infects mammals including humans through skin penetration when in contact with
fresh water contminated with larval forms (cercariae) known as schistosomes.
Moreover, the different types of intestinal worms/parasites
were also discussed in the same forum with emphasis on the deworming program
pursued by the government for school age children.
