Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Elimination
About MDA campaign
- Goal: To reduce the spread of LF by eliminating the microscopic filarial parasites present in the bloodstream of infected individuals, thus preventing further transmission by mosquitoes.
- Implementing Agency: It is led by the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- Coverage: 111 endemic districts across 13 States – Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
- It is a core component of India’s LF elimination strategy.
- It focuses on the door-to-door administration of anti-filarial medication, ensuring that every eligible individual consumes the prescribed medicine to stop the transmission of the disease.
- It involves the supervised administration of a combination of anti-filarial medicines to all eligible individuals in LF-endemic areas, regardless of whether they show symptoms.
- Medication regimen includes:
- Double Drug Regimen (DA): Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) and Albendazole
- Triple Drug Regimen (IDA): Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC), and Albendazole
- Exempted groups from taking medication
- Children below 2 years of age
- Pregnant women
- Seriously ill individuals
About Lymphatic filariasis
- It is parasitic disease that affects the lymph nodes and lymph vessels.
- Commonly known as “Hathi Paon”
- Caused by: Microscopic parasite nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filarioidea
- Transmission: Spread from person to person through mosquitoes.
- Effects: It impairs the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts.
- It can lead to physical disabilities such as lymphoedema (swelling of the limbs) and hydrocele (scrotal swelling) and impose long-term burdens on affected individuals and families.
- Disease burden in India: Currently, there are 345 lymphatic filariasis endemic districts in 20 states and union territories of the country.
- Elimination Target: India has committed to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global target under the Sustainable Development Goal of 2030.