Malaria epidemic declared in Davao Sur town

DIGOS CITY—The health office of Davao del Sur has declared a malaria epidemic in one town in the province after 40 residents contracted the mosquito-borne disease following days of monsoon rains.

Riza Dacalos, malaria control coordinator of Davao del Sur, said the epidemic was declared in Jose Abad Santos town after 40 residents, including children, contracted malaria.

Dacalos said that while only one village, Meybio, was suffering from a spike in the number of malaria cases, the provincial health office decided to declare an epidemic in the town to prompt town officials to act immediately to prevent the spread of the disease.

A malaria control team, according to Dacalos, was sent to Jose Abad Santos, a coastal town in the western side of Davao del Sur, to help prevent the spread of malaria.

The team’s main task, said Dacalos, is to help eradicate mosquitoes. Rains in recent days in the province could have led to an increase in mosquito population in Davao del Sur, said Dacalos.

Mosquitoes are known to breed quickly in flooded or damp areas. Orlando B. Dinoy, Inquirer Mindanao