Uttar Pradesh Launches Campaign to Eradicate Filariasis

February 2, 2024

The Uttar Pradesh Government, as part of its mission to eradicate filariasis from the state, is all set to launch the Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign from February 5 to 15. The campaign will be conducted in 17 districts of Uttar Pradesh. The MDA campaign will involve door-to-door visits by health workers to administer filariasis prevention medication to the entire population, excluding children under two years of age, pregnant women, and those with serious illnesses, as per a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has appealed to all residents to actively take the filariasis prevention medicine during the MDA rounds.

Key Points

The central government has set a targeted deadline of 2027 for the complete elimination of filariasis from the country. Symptoms of filariasis, caused by Culex mosquito bites, typically manifest 5 to 15 years after infection, leading to conditions like hydrocele and swelling in limbs and breasts.
The government is providing training and kits for Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) of filariasis patients. Preventive medicine is imperative to avert disease onset.
The Yogi government has expressed commitment to rendering the state filariasis-free.
Training of Community Health Officers at Health and Wellness Centres to identify patients is a key initiative.

Current Statistics and Upcoming MDA Campaign

As of June 2023, the state has 51 endemic districts, with 90,768 lymphatic filariasis and 21,131 hydrocele patients identified. The MDA campaign from February 10-28 will target 17 districts for filariasis elimination. A triple-drug combination will be given in 10 districts, while a double-drug combination will be administered in 7 districts. Currently 51 affected districts remain, with MDA rounds to be conducted in other districts starting August 10.

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