Anti-filariasis drive in Bihar begins today
PATNA: Bihar has to overcome the challenge of drug refusal, as it begins from Saturday the 17-day mass drug administration (MDA) campaign for elimination of lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis (abnormal swelling of limbs or other body part), a neglected tropical disease spread by infected Culex mosquitoes, said health officials associated with the campaign.
The state aims to administer preventive anti-filarial drugs Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) and Albendazole tablets, along with Ivermectin, to six crore eligible population above two years of age, out of the total population of 7.5 crore in 24 districts, during this MDA round. The remaining districts will be taken up for MDA in August.
The adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported during the first week of MDA in 11 districts last September, though an insignificant 0.1%, still weighs heavy. Some DEC tablets supplied through the government in May last year had turned into powder form and tasted bitter. Some instances of fever, nausea, vomiting, giddiness or weakness, after consuming DEC, were also reported, leading to drug refusal, said officials.
As per government data, over 76,692 cases of drug refusal were recorded in 10 of Bihar’s 38 endemic districts during the MDA drive last September, targeting 3.67 crore people. Patna topped with refusal of 31,795 cases, followed by Rohtas (18,390) and Bhojpur (12,727).
“Drug refusal is more in urban areas as compared to rural population. This is primarily because of trust deficit in taking drugs available free of cost through government channel,” said a health expert associated with an international body.
Dr Parmeshwar Prasad, additional director and state programme officer, filariasis, however, was confident the state was better prepared this time and no such eventuality would arise.
“We have taken precautions and have checked physically every pack of drug before the MDA round. We are rejecting any blister pack where the tablet has turned into powder form. We do not forsee any such problem this time,” said Dr Prasad.
“We have to convert drug refusal into acceptance, and that’s a challenge for us,” he added.“The Centre had promptly replaced us the full quantity of DEC tablets we had returned to the central stores last year after they turned into powder form,” said Dr Prasad.
Almost 75% of MDA districts are from Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, Odisha and Telangana.
Bihar has 1.77 lakh registered lymphatic filariasis cases, of which 1.56 lakh are of lymphedema and the remaining of hydrocele. The number is increasing every year, but government officials claim the rise is because of aggressive reporting of cases due to its intensive filaria elimination drive.
The MDA, which seeks to prevent and eliminate filaria, is being undertaken under the national filaria elimination programme since 2004. The Centre has kept a target to eliminate lymphatic filariasis by 2027 though the WHO target is 2030.
Lymphatic filariasis is a severely disabling, mosquitoborne infectious disease, causing elephantiasis (abnormal swelling of limb or other body part) and hydrocele (inflammation of the scrotum). It may damage the lymphatic system in people of all age groups, leading to abnormal swelling in body parts. Those affected by filaria, such as hydrocele, lymphedema (swelling of limbs), and chyluria (milky white urine), often have to bear a significant social burden, affecting their livelihoods and capacity to work.