Maharashtra resumes immunisation against filariasis
- July 10, 2021
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Maharashtra resumes immunisation against filariasis
Subject : Science & tech
Context : The Maharashtra government has flagged off its mass drug administration drive for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis and become the first State in the country to resume giving rounds of the drug after the second wave of COVID-19.
Concept :
- The drive will be conducted in six districts —Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Yavatmal and Nanded — till July 15. Maharashtra has 18 filariasis endemic districts. As of 2020-21, at least 31,258 lymphoedema and 11,929 hydrocele cases were reported from these districts.
- Mass drug administration is one of the two pillars of the National Programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis(2018), under which anti-filaria drugs are administered to the eligible population once a year.
- Another Pillar is providing Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) services to those affected by the disease.
- A combination of two drugs, diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole, or three — Ivermectin, DEC, and Albendazole — will be administered during the drive.
Lymphatic Filariasis
- Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis and is considered as a neglected tropical disease.
- It impairs the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing pain, severe disability and social stigma.
- Lymphatic filariasis is a vector-borne disease, caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea.
There are 3 types of thread-like filarial worms which causes lymphatic filariasis:
- WuchereriaBancrofti is responsible for 90% of the cases.
- BrugiaMalayi causes most of the remainder of the cases.
- BrugiaTimori also causes the disease.
Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF)
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) launched its Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) in 2000.
- In 2012, the WHO neglected tropical diseases roadmap reconfirmed the target date for achieving elimination by 2020.
- The GPELF aims to provide access to a minimum package of care for every person with associated chronic manifestations of lymphatic filariasis in all areas where the disease is present, thus alleviating suffering and promoting improvement in their quality of life.