The Government of India has launched a major campaign to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav has launched a bi-annual mass drug administration campaign under this campaign. The second phase of this campaign has started in 2024, in which 63 districts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh will be targeted. Preventive medicines will be distributed door-to-door in these districts.
What is lymphatic filariasis?Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a serious disease also known as elephantiasis. The disease is transmitted by the bite of Culex mosquitoes that breed in dirty or polluted water. Infection usually occurs in childhood, but symptoms such as lymphoedema (swelling), elephantiasis and scrotal swelling (hydrocele) appear later in life. These symptoms can cause permanent disability.
Status of Lymphatic Filariasis in IndiaLymphatic filariasis is reported in 345 districts across 20 states and union territories in India. This includes Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, which account for 90% of the case burden. The government has adopted a comprehensive five-pronged strategy to eliminate the disease by 2027:
Mission Mode MDA (Mass Drug Administration) – Mass distribution of medicines Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) - prevention of disease conditions and disability Vector control - monitoring and control of mosquitoes High-Level Advocacy - Awareness and Support Innovative approach - use of new techniques and methods Campaign progressSo far, 138 districts have finished the MDA campaign and completed the Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS 1). Annual MDA is ongoing in 159 districts. 41 districts are in various stages of pre-TAS/TAS. By 2023, 6.19 lakh cases of lymphoedema and 1.27 lakh cases of hydrocele have been reported. This campaign marks significant progress in India's efforts.
The government's new strategyThe government has made a new strategy to eliminate this disease, which includes distribution of medicines, control of mosquitoes and making people aware. Under this campaign, medicines will be distributed door-to-door in 63 districts and people will be given information about this disease. The government has said that it is necessary for 90% of the people to take medicines for this campaign, so that the disease can be completely eradicated.
Symptoms and Causes of Lymphatic FilariasisLymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne disease that causes swelling and deformity of the limbs. Its symptoms include swelling, pain and disability in the limbs. State Minister Prataprao Jadhav reiterated the government's commitment to the disease and said that measures such as avoiding mosquitoes and taking anti-filarial medicines are important to prevent the spread of the disease. For this campaign to be successful, it is necessary that 90% of the eligible population consumes the medicines. Many prominent leaders like Health Minister Banna Gupta, Mangal Pandey, Damodar Rajanarasimha, Dr. Mukesh Mahalinga, Jai Pratap Singh and Dinesh Gundu Rao have participated and supported this campaign.
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