Telangana: Filariasis drive in 14 districts between July 15 and 17
The drugs will not be administered to children below two years of age, pregnant women and people suffering from serious illness.
Hyderabad: The health department will launch a two-day Mass Drug Administration (MDA) drive to eliminate lymphatic filariasis between July 15 and 17 in the 14 endemic districts including Asifabad, Khammam, Mancherial, Medak, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Yadadri, Nirmal, Jangaon, Mahabubabad, Warangal Urban and Warangal Rural.
The drugs will not be administered to children below two years of age, pregnant women and people suffering from serious illness. In 2020, the State recorded 66,394 lymphoedema and 1,329 hydrocele cases across the endemic districts.
“MDA is a critical strategy to eliminate filariasis in Telangana. The consumption of anti-filarial drugs will curtail transmission of the disease in the community. All 14 districts have carried out rigorous preparatory activities including training of healthcare workers and social mobilization activities,” Dr Amar Singh Naik, Additional Director (M&F) and State Programme Officer, in a press release said.
He said the anti-filariasis drugs will have added benefits like treating infections caused by intestinal worms, improving nutrition uptake and physical and cognitive development of children. “If some people consume the drugs while others do not, then the whole community remains at risk for filariasis. I appeal to all community memebrs in the endemic areas to consume these drugs under the supervision of health workers,” he said.
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