Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis ... - libdoc.who.int

NIGERIA47Endemicity statusEndemicNon-endemicUncertainAnnual Report on Lymphatic Filariasis 2003LF is one of the public health problems of Nigeria’s populationof 113.8 million. It is estimated that a major part ofthe population is considered to be at risk of LF; mappingis in progress. The LF clinical manifestations evaluatedin sentinel sites in 2002 show a lymphoedema prevalenceas high as 40%. Some evaluations done in the past showeda hydrocele prevalence that ranges from 8% to 16.5%.The administrative division designated as an IU is theLocal Government Area. LF mapping is in progress and23 IUs in Plateau and Nasarawa States are considered tobe endemic. The first round of MDA using albendazoleplus ivermectin began in 2000 in four IUs. In 2001 and2002, 13 and 30 IUs were covered, respectively. For thefourth round of MDA in 2003, 4.3 million people weretargeted with a reported coverage of 72%.Mapping with ICT cards is in progress and the prevalencecould be from 9% to 42%. The mf prevalence foundin the eight sentinel sites ranged from 0.5% to 12.7%.Between 2000 and 2003, at least 2723 drug distributorswere trained, and 110 people were given training in disabilityprevention and control.The LF elimination programme is implemented by theministry of health. WHO provided financial support formapping south-west Nigeria. GSK donates albendazoleto treat the entire at-risk population. The Carter CenterGlobal 2000 River Blindness Program collaborated withthe Federal Ministry of Health in using drug distributionmethods similar to those used for treating riverblindness.Chapter 3 Programme implementationTable 3.7 Goal: to eliminate LF from Nigeria as a public health problemObjectives• To interrupt transmission of LF as apublic health problemStrategies• MDA using ivermectin and albendazole• To prevent and control LF-associateddisability• Health education, hydrocelectomy