Lymphatic filariasis, also known as “elephantiasis”, is a disease caused by parasite worms as filarial worms. Most cases of the disease have no symptoms. Some people, however, developed a syndrome called elephantiasis, which is marked by severe swelling in the arms, legs or genitals. The skin may become thicker as well and the condition may become very painful.
The changes to the body may harm the affected person’s social and economic situation. The disease is caused by filarial worms spread the bites of infected mosquitoes. The three types of worms are known to cause the disease are wuchereia bancrofti, brugia malayi and brugia timori, with wuchereia bancrofti being the most common. These worms damage the lymphatic system and the disease is diagnosed by microscopic examination of blood collected during the night.
Prevention can be achieved by treating entire groups in which the disease exists, known as mass deworming. This is done every year for six years in an effort to rid a population of the disease entirely.
The medication do not kill the adult worms but prevent further spread of the disease until the worms die on their own. Efforts to prevent mosquito bites are also recommended including the number of mosquitoes and promoting the use of bed net.
In 2015, about 38.5 million people were infected. About 950 million are at risk of the disease in 54 countries and in most cases is common in tropical Africa and Asia. Lymphatic filariasis is classified as a neglected tropical disease, which can result in economic losses of many billions of dollars a year.
In Sierra Leone people relate such disease to witchcraft and something based on superstition or black magic. According to Dr. Yamba N. Bah, elephantiasis is presently available in the entire district noting, “even though some districts are on the brink to being declared free of the disease, more needs to be done.”
Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases at Helen Keller International, Paye said this might be the last massive drug distribution based on impact assessment which they have done over the years and called on the public to take the peel when the process started
According to Vandi Kallon in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, they will be giving out this medicine to people using the direct observation treatment method where people will be given these peels and ensure that they are taken instantly. The Ministry is targeting over a million people across 131 public health units.
MJB8/11/17
By Mohamed J. Bah
Thursday November 09, 2017.
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