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UPDATE ON MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION IN SUPPORT OF GLOBAL LF ELIMINATION

Thursday, 20th of October 2011

UPDATE ON MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION IN SUPPORT OF GLOBAL LF ELIMINATION

Excerpts below; full text is at http://www.who.int/wer/2011/wer8635.pdf

‘The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) is a rapidly

growing worldwide public health programme which was launched in 2000 with

the goal of eliminating the disease as a public health problem by 2020. Of the

72 countries where lymphatic filariasis is considered endemic, 53 have implemented

MDA to stop transmission. During 2000–2010, >3.4 billion doses of medicine

were delivered to a targeted population of 897 million people. The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) is a rapidly growing worldwide public health programme which was launched in 2000 with the goal of eliminating the disease as

a public health problem by 2020. Of the 72 countries where lymphatic filariasis

is considered endemic, 53 have implemented MDA to stop transmission. During

2000–2010, >3.4 billion doses of medicine were delivered to a targeted population of

897 million people. . . .

‘As GPELF reaches its halfway point, WHO has reviewed the progress made during 2000–2009 and developed a strategic plan to address the challenges of the next 10 years. A progress report on activities accomplished and the strategic plan for 2010–20201 were published in 2010 with the aim of providing guidance to governments and health professionals in endemic countries as they move forward, and encouraging the international community to enhance its support to eliminate the disease.

‘New guidelines on delivering MDA, including a protocol for stopping MDA and conducting post-MDA surveillance (known as the transmission assessment survey), were developed in consultation with the lymphatic filariasis monitoring and evaluation working group. The dissemination of the guidelines, and training in monitoring and evaluation will be conducted by GPELF in 2012.

‘GPELF is also preparing guidelines and training materials on managing morbidity and preventing disability.

‘The role of integrated vector management in eliminating lymphatic filariasis was assessed by GPELF, and a position statement on using integrated vector management to control malaria and lymphatic filariasis was published.7 A vector control strategy to be used in coun tries where MDA is not feasible will be developed by WHO in 2012.

‘Further expansion of the programme and increases in the yearly population targeted to receive MDA may be influenced by (i) the number of countries or provinces discontinuing MDA (ii) the initiation or expansion of MDA in countries where the sociopolitical environment determines whether MDA is delivered, and (iii) the cautious approach taken by some countries where Loa loa is endemic.

‘In countries where lymphatic filariasis is endemic, areas which have implemented 5–6 rounds of MDA and achieved <1.0% prevalence of microfilaraemia are expected to proceed to the next phase of the programme – that is, to implement the monitoring and evaluation process and the transmission assessment survey to determine whether MDA may be stopped and post-MDA surveillance begun. In some of these countries, the size of the population targeted to receive MDA may decrease gradually.’