Anti-filaria drive from tomorrow

PATNA: The government will run a 15-day massive drug administration (MDA) programme from August 7 to reduce cases of lymphatic filariasis in the state. Under the programme, drugs will be administered to people above two years of age.

Addressing a workshop on MDA for elimination of filaria, WHO state coordinator for neglected tropical disease Dr Rajesh Pandey said many people in all 38 districts of the state have filarial infection in their blood. They, however, get to know about it at the age of 20 years or above. “Everyone above 2 years of age should be given the medicine, except pregnant women and critically ill people. These medicines have no side effects,” Dr Pandey said.

State Health Society administrative officer Khalid Arshad said the government has set the target to eradicate filaria by 2020. “The filaria elimination programme will be run by the health department with technical support from WHO, Centre for Advocacy and Research and Project Concern International.