Lymphatic Filariasis

Lymphatic Filariasis Latest News

Recently, the Union Health Minister launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis.

About Lymphatic Filariasis

• It is commonly known as elephantiasis (Haatipaon) which is a neglected tropical disease.
• It is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the female Culex mosquito.
• Cause: It is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea. There are 3 types of these thread-like filarial worms:
  • Wuchereria bancrofti, which is responsible for 90% of the cases
  • Brugia malayi, which causes most of the remainder of the cases
  • Brugia timori, which also causes the disease
• Transmission Cycle: Adult worms nest in the lymphatic vessels and disrupt the normal function of the lymphatic system where they produce millions of microfilariae (immature larvae) that circulate in the blood.
  • Infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.
• Symptoms: The majority of infections are asymptomatic but in chronic conditions it leads to lymphoedema (tissue swelling) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of limbs and hydrocele (scrotal swelling). 
• Treatment

• • Elimination of lymphatic filariasis is possible by stopping the spread of the infection through preventive chemotherapy.
  • The WHO-recommended preventive chemotherapy strategy for lymphatic filariasis elimination is mass drug administration (MDA).
  • MDA involves administering an annual dose of medicines to the entire at-risk population.

Source: PIB

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