UP to start Anti-Filaria Campaign in 27 districts from August 10

The Uttar Pradesh government will launch a major health campaign from August 10 to fight filariasis, a disease spread by mosquito bites. As part of the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme, around 44.3 million people across 27 districts will be given free medicines to protect them from the disease.

Dr A K Chaudhary, Additional Director (Malaria) and State Programme Officer, said here on Wednesday that taking anti-filaria medicine once a year for five years can make Uttar Pradesh filaria-free.

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He assured that the medicines are completely safe. If someone feels nausea, dizziness, or vomiting after taking them, it means the medicine is working and killing the parasites in the body.

Reports say in 17 districts, including Bahraich, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Deoria, and Etawah, two medicines — DEC and Albendazole — will be given. In 10 other districts, including Kanpur, Sitapur, Raebareli, and Mirzapur, three medicines — DEC, Albendazole, and Ivermectin — will be used.

The medicines will be given by trained health workers either at booths or by visiting homes. Each team will include one male and one female worker. Children below 2 years, pregnant women, and seriously ill people should avoid taking the medicine. People should not take the medicine on an empty stomach and must consume it in front of the health worker.

To raise awareness about the campaign, a media workshop was held in Lucknow by the Department of Medical Health, along with support from WHO, PATH, Project Concern International, CIPHER, and Global Health Strategies. Speakers at the event said that media, community leaders, and self-help groups can help spread correct information and motivate people to take the medicine.

Dr Tanuj Sharma from the World Health Organisation said that filaria is a serious disease that can cause swelling of the legs and private parts. If not treated, it can lead to disability and social problems. One of the medicines, Albendazole, also treats stomach worms in children, helping them grow and stay healthy.

Under the Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) programme, patients already suffering from lymphedema and hydrocele are being given special care.

Dr Chaudhary stressed that the only way to eliminate filaria is if everyone in the affected areas takes the medicine once a year for five years. Rapid Response Teams will be available to handle any side effects, though most people do not experience any.