Lymphatic filariasis: Progress report 2000–2009 and strategic plan 2010–2020

Overview

Lymphatic filariasis is one of the oldest and most debilitating neglected tropical diseases. An estimated 120 million people in 81 countries are infected currently, and an estimated 1.34 billion live in areas where filariasis is endemic and are at risk of infection. Approximately 40 million people suffer from the stigmatizing and disabling clinical manifestations of the disease, including 15 million who have lymphoedema (elephantiasis) and 25 million men who have urogenital swelling, principally scrotal hydrocele.

The year 2010 marks the halfway point towards the projected goal of eliminating the disease by 2020; this is thus an appropriate time to reflect on the progress made, lessons learnt and the challenges ahead. Global health has changed dramatically since 2000. The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis is now part of a comprehensive programme of efforts to control neglected tropical diseases, in which preventive chemotherapy, vector control and morbidity management are increasingly integrated and delivered as multi-intervention packages at the global, national and local levels.

The first 10 years of the Global Programme have seen extraordinary growth. The partnerships that made this growth possible will sustain the programme during the coming decade. The goal of eliminating lymphatic filariasis will be realized within an integrated programme of control; this approach holds the promise of developing greater synergies among programmes to eliminate the disease and other health programmes, and of further extending the benefits of the Global Programme to neglected populations.