Tamil Nadu is now closer to achieving elimination of filariasis.
Now it “stands as the only State in the country to successfully accomplish all requisite Mass Drug Administration (MDA) rounds and attain a microfilaria (Mf) rate of below one per cent.
Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected tropical disease, and if not attended to properly, it can lead to lifelong disability.
Tamil Nadu, along with Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal had contributed to 95% of the total burden of filariasis in the country.
Tamil Nadu was the pioneer State in the country to launch the MDA programme in Cuddalore district, during 1996, as a pilot project.
Based on its success, the programme was extended to 25 other endemic districts in the State, from 1998.
Transmission Assessment Surveys (TAS) has carried out in 2014, 2016 and 2018 showed a Mf rate of 0.18%, 0.21% and 0.10% respectively.