CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Northern Mindanao has remained malaria-free since 2019, the Department of Health–Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Northern Mindanao said, but officials urged the public to stay vigilant against the disease

During the Nov. 6 episode of Talakayan sa PIA, Dr. John Daniel R. Estandarte, medical officer III of DOH-CHD Northern Mindanao, said only one province in the Philippines continues to report active malaria cases, while two others are awaiting official malaria-free certification.

“Kining Malaria kay vector-borne disease. Good news lang sa Pilipinas kay usa na lang ang nabilin na province ang naay active cases of malaria and there are two other provinces na waiting na sila for malaria free status. Ang Region 10, all our five provinces and highly urbanized cities are free sa Malaria since 2019 pa,” he said.

(Malaria is a vector-borne disease. The good news for the Philippines is that only one province still has active malaria cases, and two other provinces are waiting for malaria-free certification. In Region 10, all five provinces and highly urbanized cities have been malaria-free since 2019.)

Estandarte said the region’s malaria-free status is due to disease control measures targeting the host, environment, and pathogen, supported by the 1-3-5 Strategy, which ensures malaria diagnosis within one day, case investigation within three days, and intervention within five days.

“Tungod na sa efforts of the program, prompt treatment and diagnostics, wala nay mga pathogens gapalibot and pati sa mga lamok nawala najud ang mga pathogens ana,” he said.

(This is due to the efforts of the program, prompt treatment, and diagnostics. There are no more pathogens circulating, and even in mosquitoes, the pathogens are gone.)

He added that no indigenous malaria cases have been recorded in the region in recent years. Any detected cases have been imported from other regions or countries.

Despite this, Estandarte reminded the public, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and travelers returning from malaria-endemic areas such as Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and southern Palawan, to remain alert.

“Even though free na ta sa Malaria, dili japon ta angay mag kumpyansa. ‘Be vigilant,” he stressed.

(Even though we are now malaria-free, we should not be complacent. Be vigilant.)

He said malaria testing and treatment remain free at DOH-accredited health facilities. Individuals experiencing fever or chills after travel are urged to seek medical consultation immediately.

“Seek consultation bahalag flu ra na nga symptoms (even if your symptoms seem like just the flu) — it’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said.

As part of Malaria Awareness Month, DOH-CHD Northern Mindanao continues to promote awareness and health-seeking behaviors to prevent the reintroduction of malaria.

“Ang tumong man gyud sa karon since padulong naman sa elimination, especially free na ang Region 10, mubalik ug ka aware ang tao if malaria exist, tagaan nato’g good health seeking behaviors ang mga tao balik,” he said.

(Our goal now, especially as we move toward elimination, and Region 10 is already malaria-free, is to remind people that malaria exists and to encourage good health-seeking behaviors.) (Hazel Ann L. Cagalawan/PIA-10)