GULBARGA: The spread of filariasis in Karnataka has become a cause of concern for health experts. The disease is rampant in Gulbarga, Bidar, Dakshina Kannada, Raichur, Uttara Kannada, Bijapur, Udupi, and Bagalkot districts.

According to a survey conducted by the State Government, an estimated 10.42 per cent of the population in the State has been afflicted with the crippling disease. The survey pointed out that 40 per cent of the cases of filariasis are in India and a total of 23 million people in the country have the disease. Of the 60 million people with the disease in the world, 30 million are in Asia.

The Union Government, which launched the National Filaria Control Programme over two decades ago, has converted the programme to eradicate the disease by 2015 by taking up a massive awareness drive.

District Health and Family Welfare Officer Panduranga Pujar told presspersons here on Wednesday that Friday will be observed as National Filariasis Day. He said the disease can be controlled by taking one DEC tablet. The tablets not only prevent healthy people from contracting the disease, but also neutralises the virus in the blood of those with the disease. Health workers will go around the district supplying the tablets and creating awareness about ways to control the disease.

The programme will be taken up in 39 taluks of the eight affected districts, he said.

Dr. Pujar said that over 10,500 health workers, anganwadi workers, and teachers will be involved in the programme. He said people with filariasis will develop symptoms such as giddiness and vomiting after consuming the DEC tablet. He said these symptoms will be temporary and will not affect them for a long duration. The drug will not have any impact on healthy individuals and will enhance their immunity.

Senior Scientific Officer of the Health Department on vector-borne diseases K.S. Sudharshan, who is here to monitor the implementation of various preventive measures, pointed out that the DEC tablet was not a new combination and is commonly prescribed by medical practitioners and is available in medical shops.

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