N. Sulawesi vulnerable to malaria

N. Sulawesi vulnerable to malaria

MANADO, North Sulawesi: At least 14 villages in North
Sulawesi's three regencies are vulnerable to the transmission of
the parasites that cause malaria, a health official has said.

According to Dr. Nora Lumentut, head of the disease prevention
section of the provincial health office, the villages are located
in coastal areas, marshy land and illegal logging zones.

She said that villages in Minahasa, Bolaang Mongondow and
Sangihe Talaud regencies have recorded 453,596 malaria cases
since September 2002, with many of the victims still receiving
treatment in local hospitals.

"Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, the disease has three
types, two of which are now prevalent, and can be fatal if
treatment comes too late," Nora added. --Antara