Programme
The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis
In 1997, following advances in diagnosis and treatment of the disease, WHO classified lymphatic filariasis as 1 of 6 "eradicable" or "potentially eradicable" infectious diseases. Consequently that year, the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA 50.29 calling upon Member States to initiate steps to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. In response to this call, WHO launched the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in 1997.
The elimination strategy has two components: (i) stopping the spread of infection (interrupting transmission) and (ii) alleviating the suffering of affected populations (controlling morbidity).
In order to interrupt transmission, districts in which lymphatic filariasis is endemic must be mapped and community-wide mass treatment programmes implemented to treat the entire at-risk population. Most of these programmes are based on once-yearly administration of single doses of 2 drugs given together: albendazole plus either DEC or ivermectin (albendazole plus ivermectin is administered in areas where onchocerciasis is also endemic). This yearly, single-dose treatment must be carried out for 4–6 years. An alternative and equally effective community-wide regimen is the use of common table salt or cooking salt fortified with DEC in endemic regions for a period of one year.
Alleviating the suffering caused by the disease is possible through the implementation of community education programmes that raise awareness among patients. These programmes promote the benefits of intensive local hygiene practices and the possible improvement of damage that has already occurred, as well as the prevention of debilitating and painful episodes of inflammation.
Progress
China and the Republic of Korea were declared to have eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The Global Programme continued to make progress in 2008. Of 81 countries listed by WHO as being endemic for lymphatic filariasis, 66 have completed mapping their endemic foci, 13 have made progress and 2 have yet to start the process.
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