Malaria cases up by 90% in 2023—DOH

The cases of malaria in the Philippines went up by 90% in 2023, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday. 

The latest data from the DOH Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) showed 6,248 malaria cases were recorded in the country in 2023 — a jump from the 3,245 monitored in 2022. 

Several cases of related deaths were also under investigation.

Out of the 82 provinces, Palawan remains the only province with remaining active cases. It reported a total of 6,188 malaria cases last year. 

“Itong probinsya na lamang ang siyang inaantabayanan natin dahil dito po nanggagaling ang halos lahat ng ating malaria cases,” RITM Technical Supervisor Jhobert Bernal said. 

(We are focusing on this province because most of the cases come from here.)

Meanwhile, the DOH said climate change and the easing of restrictions following the pandemic are among the possible reasons for the increase in cases.

The World Health Organization defined malaria as a “life-threatening disease” spread to humans by certain types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries and is usually preventable and curable.

Early signs of malaria infections include:

• chills
• fever
• sweating
• headache
• fatigue
• muscle aches
• nausea and vomiting

Severe symptoms are:

• kidney failure
• seizure
• mental confusion
• coma

—NB, GMA Integrated News