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Door-to-door campaign on filariasis awareness

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

Mammoth efforts: A giant mosquito model on the sands of the beach educating the public on filariasis.

PUDUCHERRY: The Health Department will conduct a door-to-door campaign on filariasis awareness from December 28 to 30.

Department staff would distribute tablets across age groups, which would kill any filariasis causing parasites inside the body.

“And if you miss it, go to the nearest Primary Health Centre, register yourself and get the tablets that come in blister packs.

“Children between the age of 2 and 5 can consume one tablet, those aged between 6 and 14 must have two tablets and adults above 15 years must eat three tablets,” N. Nila Mani, Assistant Director (Filaria), Health Department told The Hindu.

“People with health problems like asthma, diabetes and hyper tension can take the drug without any hesitation,” he added.

The Health Department would be targeting a population of 9.2 lakh people across the four regions of the Union Territory over the three days.

People across all age groups, excepting pregnant women, children below 2 years and seriously ill people, will be administered the drug.

Single doses of DEC (diethylcarbamizine citrate) tablets were last distributed in 2005. Lymphatic Filariasis has been identified as one of the diseases to be eliminated globally by 2020 as envisaged by the World Health Organisation.

To educate the public on the need to consume the tablets and prevent the spread of the disease, the Department has put up the dummy of a huge mosquito on the beach and is distributing pamphlets to visitors.

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