There are four cases of Malaria recorded in Central Visayas, according to Dr. Ronald Jervic Buscato, medical officer of DOH-7.
Buscato clarified that these patients have acquired the virus outside the country.
Two foreigners, a missionary priest and a nun acquired the virus in Africa.
Buscato said that since tourism is popular in the Philippines, the biggest problem they face is controlling the transmission of the disease.
“They are already treated because we have medicine for the treatment of malaria,” said Buscato.
In Central Visayas, Buscato revealed that only Negros Oriental is the area which has not been declared as Malaria free since malaria-carrying mosquitoes were still found in the area.
Last year, DOH has recorded around 4,000 cases of Malaria throughout the country, which according to Buscato is much lower compared to last year.
On April 25, DOH-7 will be observing World Malaria Day to raise consciousness about malaria and its effects.