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Filariasis on the decline in Puducherry

PUDUCHERRY: An endemic region for filariasis, Puducherry is witnessing a gradual decrease in the micro filaria rate over the last four years.

The drop comes after consistent measures initiated to contain mosquito breeding and regular examination of population for early detection, according to official sources.

Puducherry, along with Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, was found to be an endemic region for filariasis.

As blood samples from population had not shown the presence of micro filaria, the officials said this index revealed that the Union Territory was slowly moving into the non-endemic zone.

“Any urbanisation without proper concentration on sewage system would encourage breeding of mosquitoes. Our aim is to contain breeding,” Assistant Director of Malaria, Filaria N. Nilamani said.

With no symptoms, filariasis caused obstruction to the lymphatic system and was an ongoing process once disfigurement began. However, no deaths owing to filariasis had been reported till date, he said.

“We have been taking anti-larval measures using insecticides. When used in water, the chemical goes to the sub-soil. For efficacy reasons, we are thinking of using bio-larvicide to take environment-friendly measures,” he said.

The micro filaria rate had come down in 2007 when compared to 2004.

A total of 1,04,900 people were examined in 2004, of which 152 were found to be positive. Out of the 63,422 examined in 2007, only 40 were found to be positive, official figures said.

A drug called Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) had been considered effective in killing young micro filaria.

A larger dose over a protracted period could kill adult micro filaria.

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