Juntendo Medical Journal
Online ISSN : 2188-2126
Print ISSN : 2187-9737
ISSN-L : 2187-9737
Current Topics: Current Research Topics in Tropical Diseases; Towards Successful Control and Elimination
Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis
Roles of Research, International Cooperation, and Participation of Endemic Community Making an Unprecedented Global Program to Eliminate the Neglected Disease into a Reality
EISAKU KIMURA
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2015 Volume 61 Issue 4 Pages 378-388

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Abstract

The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) inaugurated in 2000 is a unique ‘adventure’ in a sense that it targets one of the most neglected diseases at a global scale. To accomplish this ambitious program, not only health professionals but community people have been playing an essential role in distributing a huge number of antifilarial drugs. Approximately 500 million people are treated annually worldwide, including numberless ‘neglected’ people in remote rural areas.
GPELF is said to be one of the most rapidly expanding global health programs in the history of public health. With its cost-effective, systematic mechanism, 60 of 73 endemic countries are conducting national ‘mass drug administration’ campaign, and 15 of them are now close to the elimination of filariasis.
How can this kind of program be implemented and maintained for more than a decade? What are the achievements and their public health and scientific implications? This review summarizes these topics with emphasis on key researches and field operations which have facilitated this unprecedented program.

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