Research

Several gaps still exist in the understanding the "epidemiology of elimination" of LF and there is a need for research.

Several gaps still exist in the understanding the "epidemiology of elimination" of LF and there is a need for research.

• Studies to understand the behaviour of residual microfilaraemia and antigenaemia in communities where the threshold level of microfilaraemia has been achieved through repeated MDA.
• Rapid identification of high-prevalence areas and development of strategies for dealing with them.
• Development and standardization of cost-effective strategies to stop-MDA and post-MDA surveillance strategies.
• Modelling of the outcome of MDA programmes of different duration and intensity.
• Identification of target population groups for MDA and treatment strategies in urban areas.
• Quantification of the benefits of MDA.
• Formulation of treatment strategies in areas with co-infections of Wuchereria bancrofti and Loa loa.
• Integration of MDA with strategies to control other neglected tropical diseases
• Advocacy for sustaining MDA in countries where it is already being implemented and for starting it in countries where it has not yet been introduced.