Abstract
BackgroundAs Myanmar progresses towards lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination, it is important to know how well the anti-filarial activities have performed. The present study was conducted to study the implementation of the key anti-filarial activities and their impact on key indicators of LF transmission.MethodsA secondary analysis of aggregate program data on the anti-filarial activities was conducted in four endemic state/regions of Myanmar receiving at least six mass drug administration (MDA) rounds during 2001–2016.ResultsMDA coverage has been expanded to cover all the endemic implementation units (IUs), i.e., 45 by 2015 and 6 IUs out of them have already stopped MDA. The reported coverage of MDA ranges from 87 to 100% whereas surveyed coverage ranges from 78 to 100% among the eligible population. The prevalence of microfilaria has significantly declined especially in Magway from 4.7 to 0.2% and Sagaing region from 7.9 to 1.3% during 2001–2016. Around 2.5% of estimated cases of hydrocele were reported to the program during 2009–2014.ConclusionMyanmar has achieved significant success in interrupting LF transmission through several MDA rounds with high coverage. However, morbidity reporting and management, being in its initial phase requires an active surveillance system for identifying and managing people with LF-associated morbidities under the program.
Highlights
As Myanmar progresses towards lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination, it is important to know how well the anti-filarial activities have performed
Coverage of mass drug administration (MDA) rounds MDA rounds started in 2 Implementation unit (IU) of Magway in 2001 covering 1.8 million population expanding to 33 million in 2016
IU implementation unit, MDA mass drug administration aMDA started in 02 IUs in 2001, later 02 more IUs were added in 2002 bMDA started in 06 IUs, later stopped in IUs in 2009 cMDA started in IUs, later stopped in all 04 IUs in 2009
Summary
As Myanmar progresses towards lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination, it is important to know how well the anti-filarial activities have performed. The present study was conducted to study the implementation of the key anti-filarial activities and their impact on key indicators of LF transmission. Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a debilitating neglected tropical disease currently infecting around 120 million people in 81 countries. An estimated 1.34 billion live in filarial endemic areas, with 65% of them residing in World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region (SEAR). Nine out of the 11 countries in the region are endemic for filariasis. The WHO recommends an annual mass drug administration (MDA) of single doses of two medicines, namely diethylcarbamazine (DEC) or ivermectin plus albendazole to the entire eligible population in endemic areas for at least 5 years [2]
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