Cessation of mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis in Zanzibar in 2006: was transmission interrupted?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is targeted for elimination through annual mass drug administration (MDA) for 4-6 years. In 2006, Zanzibar stopped MDA against LF after five rounds of MDA revealed no microfilaraemic individuals during surveys at selected sentinel sites. We asked the question if LF transmission was truly interrupted in 2006 when MDA was stopped.

Methodology/principal findings

In line with ongoing efforts to shrink the LF map, we performed the WHO recommended transmission assessment surveys (TAS) in January 2012 to verify the absence of LF transmission on the main Zanzibar islands of Unguja and Pemba. Altogether, 3275 children were tested on both islands and 89 were found to be CFA positive; 70 in Pemba and 19 in Unguja. The distribution of schools with po

SUBMITTER: Rebollo MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4376862 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature