Filariasis: ASHA workers visit homes with preventive dose

Lucknow: As part of an ongoing drive to eradicate filariasis from the state, the government has issued an appeal for all residents to take preventive medication before August 28.

Under the campaign, ASHA workers are visiting every household with the medicine. These medicines are also being made available at primary health centres, community health centres and at Jan Arogya Melas. An appeal has also been issued by the state government which states: “There is only one way to protect yourself from the grip of filariasis, the disease that could leave your foot swollen like an elephant’s and even lead to hydrocele– take medicine.” The appeal describes how Filariasis is transmitted through mosquito bites and poses a serious and incurable threat.

“Once contracted, it persists throughout one’s lifetime and has no remedy. Given this, it is essential that those who have not taken the prescribed medication do so by August 28. ASHA workers will visit homes, but if they are missed, individuals are urged to reach out and take the medicine. This is very important for you and your family,” it concludes.

Principal secretary, department of health and family welfare, Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma said that under the national filariasis elimination campaign, a mass drug administration programme (MDA) has been going on since August 10. He said that the medicine is completely safe and effective and everyone, except children under the age of two years, pregnant women and seriously ill individuals, can take it. The national filariasis elimination campaign is being conducted in 27 districts of the state, where the disease is commonly found.

The disease can take as long as five to 15 years to manifest.