West Bengal government keen to eliminate filaria in 5 districts even in the midst of the Covid pandemic

During the MDA rounds, drug administrators will provide medicine free-of-cost to all eligible beneficiaries of the endemic districts through a door-to-door campaign followed by mop-up rounds to cover left-out areas. Consumption of the medication will be directly observed by the drug administrators. Children below 2 years, pregnant women and people suffering from serious diseases are exempted.

Filariasis  is  spread  by mosquitoes. The infection,  usually  acquired in childhood,  causes  hidden damage to the lymphatic system and often, abnormal enlargement of body parts (lymphoedema – swelling of limbs and hydrocele – swelling of scrotum), which can lead to disability. According to data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Filariasis is endemic in 13 districts of the state, but the National Elimination Programme has succeeded in reducing transmission of the disease in 8 of these 13 endemic districts.

Dr. Pritam Roy, WHO NTD Coordinator for West Bengal, said, "Filariasis is a painful and disabling Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) transmitted by infected mosquito bites.  Disease spread can be prevented through Mass Drug Administration (MDA), which involves a single treatment with a combination of preventive drugs - DEC and Albendazole.

"All eligible people living in endemic districts must consume the MDA drugs in the presence of a drug administrator to protect themselves and the community from contracting this deadly vector-borne disease. WHO supports the State of West Bengal and the national Elimination Program for Lymphatic Filariasis by providing technical assistance, donated drugs, monitoring and supportive supervision."

Over 21.8 million people at risk of Lymphatic Filariasis in these target districts will benefit from the MDA rounds by consuming the medicines.