Lymphatic Filariasis in India: A Journey towards Elimination

Srivastava Pradeep Kumar

Srivastava Pradeep Kumar Former Joint Director, NVBDCP, 22 Sham Nath Marg, Delhi, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7696-3845

Keywords: ELF, MDA, TAS, LF

Abstract

The journey towards elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) in India started with the deliberations in a meeting held at Delhi in 1996 recommending for pilot project of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with DEC. Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF was launched in 2000 subsequent to World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution in 1997 making India as signatory. ELF campaign was launched on 5th June, 2004 with annual MDA in endemic districts. However, all the endemic districts could not initiate MDA due to logistics and preparedness issues, thus the journey initially experienced challenges of hurried start. Serious Adverse Events (SAE) and poor compliance were reported from many states which were tackled through advocacy and capacity building of health workers and community volunteers. MDA was managed with staggering of dates in different states and strong supervision helped in improving drug compliance. The improved reported drug coverage resulted in decline of microfilaria prevalence in many districts except some districts. Indiaâ€™s significant progress was recognised internationally as approximately 200 of 650 million population at risk of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) was made free of risk by 2017 by passing Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) though some districts could not clear TAS. Efforts to improve drug compliance were intensified and to achieve goal faster, MDA with three drug Ivermectin, DEC and Albendazole has been initiated in addition to ascertaining the current status of LF endemicity in non-MDA districts. Based on experience of long journey towards ELF with mix of success and challenges, it is suggested to intensify ELF in a mission mode with priority.

How to cite this article:
Kumar SP. Lymphatic Filariasis in India: A Journey towards Elimination. J Commun Dis 2020; 52(3): 17-21.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202024

References

Sasa M. In: Human filariasis: A global survey of epidemiology and control. University of Tokyo 1976,

WHO. Lymphatic Filariasis Infection & Disease: Control Strategies. Report of a Consultative Meeting held at

University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. 1994.

Sharma RS. National Filaria Control Programme, Operational Manual. National Malaria Eradication

Programme, Delhi. 1995.

Kalra NL. Filariasis among the aborigines of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. J Commun Dis 1974; 6: 40-56.

Biswas G. Revised strategy for the control of lymphatic filariasis in India, New Delhi. National Institute

of Communicable diseases and National Malaria Eradication program, Delhi. 1996.

WHA. ELF as a public health problem. Resolutions and Decisions. 1997; 27-28.

Ottesen EA, Duke BOL, Karam M et al. Strategies and tools for the control/ELF. Bulletin of WHO 1997; 75(6):

-503.

National Health Policy. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi. 2002; 1-39.

Ottessen EA. The global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Trop Med Int Hlth 2000; 5: 591-594.

National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. Operational Guidelines on Elimination of lymphatic

filariasis, India. Directorate of National Vector Borne Disease Control. 2005.

National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. Operational Guidelines on Elimination of lymphatic

filariasis, India. Directorate of National Vector Borne Disease Control. 2009.

Srivastava PK, Dhillon GP. Elimination of lymphatic filariasis in India â€“ a successful endeavour. J Indian

Med Assoc 2008; 106: 673-674, 676-677.

World Health Organization. Lymphatic filariasis: progress of disability prevention activities. Weekly

Epidemiological Record 2004; 79: 417-424.

Srivastava PK, Dhariwal AC. Progress towards morbidity management under elimination of lymphatic filariasis programme in India. J Indian Med Assn 2010; 108 (12): 854-862.

Srivastava PK, Dhariwal AC, Bhattacharjee J. Status of LF in India. Health Action 2013; 19.

Srivastava PK, Bhattacharjee J, Dhariwal AC et al. Elimination of lymphatic filariasis - Current status and

way ahead. J Commun Dis 2014; 46: 85-94.

World Health Organization. Monitoring and epidemiological assessment of the programme to

eliminate lymphatic filariasis at implementation unit level. 2005.

World Health Organization. Global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis: monitoring and epidemiological assessment of mass drug administration-TAS. 2011.

World Health Organization. Global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Progress report 2000-

and Strategic plan 2010-2020. 2010.

National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. National Guidelines for Transmission Assessment

Survey. 2013. Available from: https://nvbdcp.gov.in/WriteReadData/l892s/TAS-National-

Guidelines-2013-14.pdf.

Srivastava PK, Sharma SN, Bhattacharjee J, et al. A Tool for Monitoring epidemiological impact of mass drug

administration (MDA) in the ELF- an Indian experience. J Commun Dis 2014; 46(2): 1-6.

Srivastava PK, Krishnamoorthy K., Govenkar S, et al. Elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Goa: first successful

transmission assessment survey in India. J Commun Dis 2014; 46(2): 7-16.

Dhariwal AC, Srivastava PK, Bhattacharjee J. Elimination of lymphatic filariasis in India: an update. Journ Indian Med Assn 2015; 113(12): 189-190.

Boyd A, Won KY, McClintock SK et al. A communitybased study of factors associated with continuing

transmission of LF in Leogane, Haiti. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2010; 4: e640.

Cantey PT. Predictors of compliance with a mass drug administration programme for lymphatic filariasis in

Orissa State, India. Trop Med Int Health 2008; 15: 224-231.

Kumar A, Kumar P, Nagaraj K et al. A study on coverage and compliance of mass drug administration programme for elimination of filariasis in Udupi district, Karnataka, India. J Vector Borne Dis 2009; 46: 237-240.

Kumar P, Prajapati PB, Saxena D et al. An evaluation ofcoverage and compliance of mass drug administration

for elimination of lymphatic filariasis in endemic areas of Gujarat, India. J Commun Med 2008; 33: 38-42.

Lahariya C, Mishra A. Strengthening of mass drug administration implementation is required to eliminate

lymphatic filariasis from India: an evaluation study. J Vector Borne Dis 2008; 45: 313-320.

Mukhopadhyay AK, Patnaik SK. Effect of mass drug administration programme on microfilaria carriers

in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. J Vector Borne Dis 2007; 44: 277-280.

Mukhopadhyay AK, Patnaik SK, SatyaBabu P et al. Knowledge on lymphatic filariasis and mass drug

administration (MDA) programme in filaria endemic districts of Andhra Pradesh. J Vector Borne Dis 2008;

: 73-75.

Mukhopadhyay AK. Lymphatic filariasis in Andhra Pradesh Paper Mill Colony, Rajahmundry, India after

nine rounds of MDA programme. J Vector Borne Dis 2010; 47: 55-57.

Ramaiah KD, Vanamail P, Das PK. Changes in Wuchereria bancrofti infection in a highly endemic community

following 10 rounds of mass administration of diethylcarbamazine. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2007;

: 250-255.

Regu K. Mass drug administration against lymphatic filariasis: experiences from Kozhikode district of Kerala

State. J Commun Dis 2006; 38: 333-338.

Showkath Ali MK, Regu K, Rajendran R et al. Awareness of health personnel about lymphatic filariasis and MDA in Kerala state. J Commun Dis 2008; 40: 37-40.

Swaminathan S, Perumal V, Adinarayanan S. Epidemiological assessment of eight rounds of mass

drug administration for lymphatic filariasis in India: implications for monitoring and evaluation. PLoS Negl

Trop Dis 2012; 6(11): e1926.

Vaishnav KG, Patel IC. Independent assessment of mass drug administration in filariasis affected Surat city. J

Commun Dis 2006; 38: 149-154.

Vaishnav KG , Desai HS, Srivastava PK et al. Impact of mass drug administration on elimination of lymphatic

filariasis in Surat city, India. J Commun Dis 2012; 44(4): 251-259.

Khan AM, Dutta P, Khan SA, et al. Prevalence of bancroftian filariasis in a foothill tea garden of upper

Assam. J Commun Dis 1999; 31: 145.

Das PK, Ramiah KD. Entomological monitoring of annual mass drug administration for the control or elimination of lymphatic filariasis. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology 2002; 96(20) S142.

World Health Organization. Lymphatic Filariasis: Practical Entomology A Hand-book for National Elimination

Programmes. 2013. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/87989/1/9789241505642_

eng.pdf?ua=1.