A campaign has been launched by the Government of India to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav said that a bi-annual mass drug administration campaign is underway to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. The second phase in the year 2024 has been launched. The campaign is targeting 63 endemic districts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh and preventive drugs will be provided door-to-door in the endemic areas.
What is lymphatic filariasis?
Lymphatic filariasis (LF), also known as elephantiasis, is a serious and disabling disease transmitted by the bite of the Culex mosquito, which breeds in dirty or polluted water. Infection usually occurs during childhood, causing latent damage to the lymphatic system, with visible symptoms (lymphedema, elephantiasis, and scrotal swelling/hydrocele) appearing later in life and can lead to permanent disability.
Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) is a priority disease that is expected to be eliminated by 2027. Currently, LF has been reported from 345 districts across 20 states and union territories, with 8 states – Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal – accounting for 90% of the LF burden. A comprehensive five-pronged strategy has been adopted to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) in India:
1. MDA (Mass Drug Administration) mission mode
2. Morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP)
3. Vector control (monitoring and management)
4. High-level advocacy
5. Innovative approaches to eradicate FL
Under this strategy, 138 districts have closed MDA and completed Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS 1), while 159 districts are conducting annual MDA at the rate of MF 1. 41 districts are at various stages of Pre-TAS/TAS, while in 5 districts there has been failure of Pre-TAS and in 2 districts MDA has been postponed to 2025. By 2023, 6.19 lakh cases of lymphoedema and 1.27 lakh cases of hydrocele have been reported from all infected districts. The efforts of MDA Campaign India have seen significant progress, with the launch of an advanced strategy to eliminate LF by 2027.
The government has developed a strategy to end this disease
The government has come up with a comprehensive strategy to eliminate this disease, which includes distribution of medicines, mosquito control and awareness among the population. The government has stated that for this campaign, it is necessary that 90% of the population take medicines so that this disease can be eliminated. Under this campaign, medicines will be distributed door-to-door in 63 districts and people will be sensitized to protect themselves from this disease.
The government has released new guidance and information documents, giving a clear roadmap to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. The government has appealed to the people to participate in this campaign and save their families from this disease. This campaign will start on 10th August 2024 and will be conducted in 63 districts of 6 states. The government said that this campaign is a milestone to eliminate lymphatic filariasis and will save millions of people from this disease.
Causes and symptoms of lymphatic filariasis
Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne disease that spreads through mosquito bites. The disease can cause bodily deformities and disabilities. Due to this disease, people’s limbs become swollen and paralyzed. Symptoms of the disease include swelling, pain and disability of the limbs. State Minister Prataprao Jadhav reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to public health, saying that preventive measures such as avoiding mosquito bites and taking antifilarial medicines are important to stop the spread of lymphatic filariasis.
Which affects the population of 20 states and union territories of India. This disease not only impacts health and well-being but also causes permanent disability due to lymphoedema, which has a profound impact on families. To ensure the success of the next rounds of MDA, it is essential that 90% of the eligible population takes these drugs.
He called for emphasis on the need for dedicated efforts to prevent and eliminate lymphatic filariasis in India. Health Ministers Banna Gupta (Jharkhand), Mangal Pandey (Bihar), Damodar Rajnarsimha (Telangana), Dr Mukesh Mahalinga (Odisha), Jai Pratap Singh (Uttar Pradesh) and Dinesh Gundu Rao (Karnataka) participated in the programme.
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