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

MYANMAR83Endemicity statusEndemicNon-endemicUncertainAnnual Report on Lymphatic Filariasis 2003LF is a major public health problem for Myanmar’s populationof 52 million, at least 47 million of whom areconsidered to be at risk of LF.The administrative division designated as an IU is the district.The national PELF is one of 50 projects included in theNational Health Plan 2000–2006. LF mapping is in progress:12 million people and 100 townships need to be evaluatedwith ICT cards. The principal parasite is W. bancrofti, transmittedmainly by C. quinquefasciatus. The highest endemicity(mf rates >10%) occurs in the central region, with lowerlevels (1–5%) in the hilly regions.A National Filariasis Control Programme (NFCP) wasestablished in 1970. Based on the strategy of night massblood surveys and selective treatment at the district andtownship levels, the LF programme is integrated withbasic health services, headed by the township medicalofficer for implementation of case management,prevention and control of vector-borne diseases. In 1996,a pilot MDA with DEC was implemented in two townshipsof Sagaing Division and was extended later to eighttownships in five states or divisions.The first round of MDA, using albendazole plus DEC,started in 2001 and covered two IUs. In 2002, for thesecond round, 10 IUs were covered; the third round, inDecember 2003, covered the same 10 IUs. Although 17million people were targeted in 2003, only 8 million couldbe covered because of unavailability of DEC in December2003. Reports are still being collected and post-MDAcoverage surveys are still being implemented.The door-to-door strategy was adopted in all IUs since2002 in accordance with the recommendation of theNational Task Force for ELF because of the higher coveragethat could be obtained than with the booth strategy.Chapter 3 Programme implementationTable 3.24 Goal: to eliminate LF from Myanmar by 2020Objectives• To interrupt LF transmission with MDA• To prevent LF-associated disabilityStrategies• Information and education to grass-roots level through the COMBI approach• Implementation of MDA using albendazole plus DEC• A programme of IEC for the community• Strengthen capability of staff in basic health services and vector-bornedisease control regarding MDA, disability control and elimination of LF