Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis as a Public Health Problem

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a major public health problem. The disease is caused by infection with Wuchereria bancrofti in Africa, India, the Pacific islands, Caribbean, South America and Southeast Asia, and by Brugia malayi and B. timori in Southeast Asia. Worldwide, over one billion people are at risk and over 120 million are infected, mainly in Africa. The infection is long lasting and insidious, and the most significant manifestations are the gross swelling of limbs, breasts and genitalia, commonly referred to as elephantiasis. Although LF is rarely fatal in itself, 43 million of those infected are officially recognized as being disabled, millions more suffer from social and psychological problems, and both of these factors seriously affect the labour market. The complete elimination of LF may not be possible, but its elimination as a public health problem, and all the benefits inherent in this, is another matter. This meeting coincided with the launch of a new initiative, the Lymphatic Filariasis Partnership.