Manila, Jan. 23 -- The Department of Health (DOH) regional office here is ramping up its fight against schistosomiasis in the Eastern Visayas region with about 3 million tablets available this year for mass administration for residents in the region's endemic areas.

Hygeia Grace Agosto, DOH regional schistosomiasis program manager, said in a phone interview Thursday that vulnerable populations are assured of sufficient stocks of praziquantel tablets to combat the disease, also known as snail fever.

"On top of our new deliveries from our central office, our provinces have stocks of praziquantel tablets delivered mid or late last year. Since we have adequate supply, we encourage everyone living in endemic areas to take this medicine. This...