Lymphatic filariasis elimination in the African Region: progress report
Loading...
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Description
Regional Committee for Africa Fifty-fourth Session Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, 30 August–3 September 2004: Provisional agenda item 12.4
1. Lymphatic filariasis in Africa is caused by a filarial worm, Wuchereria bancrofti, that istransmitted mainly by female Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes. Lymphatic filariasis occurs in 39 of the46 Member States of the WHO African Region. It is estimated that 420 million people are at risk of thedisease in the Region, representing 38% of the global burden.2. The main complications of lymphatic filariasis are elephantiasis, lymphoedema and hydrocele. It isestimated that 4.6 million cases of lymphoedema and over 10 million cases of hydrocele occur in Africa.LF is one of the most debilitating and disfiguring diseases. The socioeconomic consequences of LFinclude stigma lost or diminished productivity and high treatment costs.3. Recognizing the public health, social and economic significance of lymphatic filariasis, the FiftiethWorld Health Assembly, in 1997, passed a resolution calling for the elimination of lymphatic filariasisas a global public health problem by 2020. Following the passing of the resolution, two drugmanufacturers donated albendazole and ivermectin to the lymphatic filariasis programme for as long asthe drugs would be required.
1. Lymphatic filariasis in Africa is caused by a filarial worm, Wuchereria bancrofti, that istransmitted mainly by female Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes. Lymphatic filariasis occurs in 39 of the46 Member States of the WHO African Region. It is estimated that 420 million people are at risk of thedisease in the Region, representing 38% of the global burden.2. The main complications of lymphatic filariasis are elephantiasis, lymphoedema and hydrocele. It isestimated that 4.6 million cases of lymphoedema and over 10 million cases of hydrocele occur in Africa.LF is one of the most debilitating and disfiguring diseases. The socioeconomic consequences of LFinclude stigma lost or diminished productivity and high treatment costs.3. Recognizing the public health, social and economic significance of lymphatic filariasis, the FiftiethWorld Health Assembly, in 1997, passed a resolution calling for the elimination of lymphatic filariasisas a global public health problem by 2020. Following the passing of the resolution, two drugmanufacturers donated albendazole and ivermectin to the lymphatic filariasis programme for as long asthe drugs would be required.