TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA)–Some 41 barangays in four municipalities of Lanao del Norte are identified as endemic areas for schistosomiasis infection following the conduct of parasitological and malacological surveys.
This was disclosed by Engr. George Demavivas of the Provincial Health Office during the Provincial Task Force for Schistosomiasis Infection Control meeting on Tuesday, December 7.
He said 15 barangays are in the municipality of Lala, 17 are in Kapatagan, five in Sapad, and four in Salvador.
Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms. People become infected with it when parasitic worms released by snails penetrate the skin during contact with infested water like rivers, ricefields, or floodwaters.
As an intervention, the Provincial Government is conducting a mass drug administration (MDA) to residents aged 5 to 65 years old in these endemic areas.
Demavivas however admitted that some residents have negative behavior on MDA. As such, he recommended that advocacies should be strengthened to encourage them to undergo the MDA and to solicit as well the support of barangay officials to sustain the program.
He also urged the Task Force member agencies to come up with innovative strategies and intensified interventions to stop the transmission of disease in the province. (APB/PIA Lanao del Norte)
