Abstract
BackgroundLymphatic filariasis (LF) control started in Tanga Region of Tanzania in 2004, with annual ivermectin/albendazole mass drug administration (MDA). Since then, the current project has monitored the effect in communities and schools in rural areas of Tanga District. In 2013, after 8 rounds of MDA, spot check surveys were added in the other 7 districts of Tanga Region, to assess the regional LF status.MethodsLF vector and transmission surveillance, and human cross sectional surveys in communities and schools, continued in Tanga District as previously reported. In each of the other 7 districts, 2–3 spot check sites were selected and about 200 schoolchildren were examined for circulating filarial antigens (CFA). At 1–2 of the sites in each district, additional about 200 community volunteers were examined for CFA and chronic LF disease, and the CFA positives were re-examined for microfilariae (mf).ResultsThe downward trend in LF transmission and human infection previously reported for Tanga District continued, with prevalences after MDA 8 reaching 15.5% and 3.5% for CFA and mf in communities (decrease by 75.5% and 89.6% from baseline) and 2.3% for CFA in schoolchildren (decrease by 90.9% from baseline). Surprisingly, the prevalence of chronic LF morbidity after MDA 8 was less than half of baseline records. No infective vector mosquitoes were detected after MDA 7. Spot checks in the other districts after MDA 8 showed relatively high LF burdens in the coastal districts. LF burdens gradually decreased when moving to districts further inland and with higher altitudes.ConclusionLF was still widespread in many parts of Tanga Region after MDA 8, in particular in the coastal areas. This calls for intensified control, which should include increased MDA treatment coverage, strengthening of bed net usage, and more male focus in LF health information dissemination. The low LF burdens observed in some inland districts suggest that MDA in these could be stepped down to provide more resources for upscale of control in the coastal areas. Monitoring should continue to guide the programme to ensure that the current major achievements will ultimately lead to successful LF elimination.
Highlights
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) control started in Tanga Region of Tanzania in 2004, with annual ivermectin/ albendazole mass drug administration (MDA)
Since launching of the LF control programme in Tanga Region in 2004, the present project has monitored the effect of MDA on LF infection and transmission in rural areas of Tanga District through repeated human cross sectional surveys in communities and schools and continuous vector and transmission surveillance [16,17,18]
LF was still widespread in many parts of Tanga Region after 8 rounds of MDA, in particular in the coastal areas to the north and south of Tanga city
Summary
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) control started in Tanga Region of Tanzania in 2004, with annual ivermectin/ albendazole mass drug administration (MDA). Human lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a disfiguring and disabling mosquito-borne parasitic disease [1]. It is a major health problem in many warm climate countries and one of the most prevalent of the so-called Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The causative filarial parasites are transmitted to humans when female mosquito vectors carrying infective larvae land on the human skin to take a blood meal. The larvae penetrate the skin and migrate to the lymphatic vessels where they develop into adult male and female worms over a period of several months. Clinical LF disease (e.g. acute filarial fever, lymphedema, elephantiasis, hydrocele) primarily results from damage caused by the adult worms in the lymphatic vessels. The disease manifestations can be a cause of considerable incapacity to the affected individuals, and LF has been recognized as one of the leading causes of long-term disability in the world [2]
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