Google map of Lala municipality, Lanao del Norte.
LALA, Lanao del Norte - The provincial government has initiated malaria and filariasis testing in communities to maintain “zero” cases of the two diseases.
Dr. Cristie Joy Indoc, the provincial health officer, said Lanao del Norte wanted to maintain its good record since it was declared malaria-free in 2015 and filariasis-free in 2019.
"Since 2016, we are conducting malaria border operations twice a year to ensure that our residents are safe from such dangerous diseases," she said in a statement Tuesday.
Governor Imelda Dimaporo has earlier ordered the Provincial Health Office (PHO) to conduct medical missions and integrate the testing, starting in Barangay Darumawang Ilaya here where 168 residents have undergone malaria testing.
At least 605 samples were also collected for filariasis analysis.
The PHO said at least 449 households across the province, including schools, have been fogged and misted to prevent mosquitoes from reproducing in stagnant water sources.
In addition, 528 families received mosquito nets, while six rolls of Olyset nets were given to elementary schools.
A carabao bait trap was also initiated to determine specific types of mosquitos present in the area.
Ilaya village chairman Manuel Lopez said the residents appreciated the PHO's move in preventing mosquito-borne illnesses as theirs is a rural community. (PNA)
