The rate of Microfilaria (Mf), the early stage of Filariasis, a parasitic disease caused due to black flies and mosquitoes has decreased in the State. The report released by State Government on Tuesday claimed that it is due to the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programmes conducted in the affected districts since 2004.
Notably, Mass Drug Administration programmes are part of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. “In 2004, 17 districts were affected but in the recent scenario, merely 14 districts are under the same list,” mentioned sources of Health Department during a programme on Filaria at Doranda Government Hospital on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, State Malaria Officer Pushpa Mariya said the districts which had been excluded from the previous affected areas include Gumla, West Singhbhum East Singhbhum.
In order to carry out the Mass Drug Administration effectively in the 14 affected districts namely Bokaro, Chatra, Deoghar, Dhanbad, Dumka, Garhwa, Giridih, Godda, Hazaribag, Ramgarh, lohardaga, Ranchi, Khunti and Sahibganj the government had decided to organize various programmes in a span of six months in the ongoing year.
“As children are more vulnerable to Mf, we will distribute anti-filaria medicines in government and private schools this week,” sources said. Besides, covering the school, the government has targeted to distribute the medicines in 113 Primary Health Centres, 2250 Sub-Health Centres and 19220 villages of the affected districts. According to the data released by the government, it is important to take the anti-filaria medicines or drop atleast once in a gap of five to seven years.