By: SM ShahbazPATNA: State health department will undertake a mass drug administration campaign (MDA) in Arwal district under the ‘National Programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis’ from December 20 to 31 to prevent the spread of filariasis in the district.Lymphatic Filariasis or Hathipaon is a mosquito-borne disease spread by female culex mosquito. Lymphoedema or eliphantiasis (swelling in limbs) and hydrocele (swelling in scrotal sac) are two common sub-types of the disease.The Central government aims to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by 2020. Altogether five districts across the country have been selected for the periodic MDA round in 2018. Besides Arwal, Simdega (Jharkhand), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharastra) and Yadagiri in Karnataka have been included in the programme to administer preventive medicines to people.According to state health department sources, there were 2.16 lakh confirmed cases of lymphoedema or elephantiasis (swelling in limbs) and 1,73,306 confirmed cases of hydrocele (swelling in scrotal sac) reported from 38 districts of Bihar Altogether 1,527 cases of lymphedema and 197 cases of hydrocele were reported from Arwal district from January 1 to December 1 this year, sources said.Additional chief medical officer Dr Janardan Prasad said, “The MDA round in Arwal will mark the first phase of roll out of the new triple drug therapy. Earlier, only two medicines Diethylcarbamazine (DCE) and Albandazole were administered to people.”He added, “Total 6.5 lakh people will be administered preventive doses to avert the spread of Lymphatic Filariasis disease. First, we will target schoolchildren and then health workers will distribute free of cost medicines to people of the district at their doorsteps. Children between the age group of 2 to 5 years will be administered Albendazole and Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC). There is no upper age limit to administer these drugs. It can be given to anyone above 5 years, but not below two years of age.”The Central government has been conducting MDA since 2004 in collaboration with the state governments under National Programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis , and identified 256 endemic districts across the country which also include all 38 districts of Bihar.Dr C M Singh, professor, department of community and family medicine and medical superintendent AIIMS Patna said, “Lymphatic Filariasis commonly known as ‘hathipaon’ is a serious public health concern in 16 states and five union territories, including Bihar. Though the disease is not life threatening but it is often attached with social stigma which leads to social isolation of the patient that affects their livelihood.”Dr Bipin Sinha, state programme officer, filaria said, “The new triple drug therapy would be a game-changer in making Bihar free from filaria. The three medicines included in mass drug administration campaign will have other benefits such as protection from infections caused by intestinal worms. It will improve nutrition and boost physical development of children.”

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