Assessing progress in reducing the at-risk population after 13 years of the global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis.

Pamela J Hooper,Mark Bradley,Brian K Chu,Eric A Ottesen,Alexei Mikhailov

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003333

Abstract

BackgroundIn 1997, the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution 50.29, committing to the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem, subsequently targeted for 2020. The initial estimates were that 1.2 billion people were at-risk for LF infection globally. Now, 13 years after the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) began implementing mass drug administration (MDA) against LF in 2000—during which over 4.4 billion treatments have been distributed in 56 endemic countries—it is most appropriate to estimate the impact that the MDA has had on reducing the population at risk of LF.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo assess GPELF progress in reducing the population at-risk for LF, we developed a model based on defining reductions in risk of infection among cohorts of treated populations following each round of MDA. The model estimates that the number of people currently at risk of infection decreased by 46% to 789 million through 2012.Conclusions/SignificanceImportant progress has been made in the global efforts to eliminate LF, but significant scale-up is required over the next 8 years to reach the 2020 elimination goal.

Highlights

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) endemic in 73 tropical and sub-tropical countries [1]
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a widespread neglected tropical disease most frequently recognized as elephantiasis that is caused by parasitic worms and spread by mosquitoes
In order to assess the progress during the first 13 years of Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) in reducing the at-risk population requiring treatment for LF, we developed a model that indicates that the number of people remaining at-risk of infection has decreased by nearly half through 2012 to 789 million people globally

Summary

Introduction

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) endemic in 73 tropical and sub-tropical countries [1]. Affected individuals suffer from disability, stigma and associated social and economic hardship Marginalized populations, those living in areas with inadequate sanitation and sub-standard housing conditions are vulnerable and most likely to be affected by the disease. 13 years after the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) began implementing mass drug administration (MDA) against LF in 2000—during which over 4.4 billion treatments have been distributed in 56 endemic countries—it is most appropriate to estimate the impact that the MDA has had on reducing the population at risk of LF

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion