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PacELF-Pacific Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis
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PacELF, established in 1999, works with 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) from the Pacific by 2010, ten years earlier than the global target.
The Fourth meeting of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis will be held from 29th to 31st March 2006 in Coral Coast (Warwick), Fiji. PacELF’s success will be an important highlight of the meeting.
Background
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an eradicable disease that affects 120 million in the world.
The World Health Assembly resolution in 1997 identified “elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem”.
Pacific regional ministerial meeting participated by the Ministers and Directors of Health in 1999 declared elimination of LF from the Pacific by 2010, ten years earlier than global target.
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Elimination Strategies
Annual mass drug administration with a single-dose antifilarial drug combination (diethylcarbamazine and albendazole) for five years is a key strategy.
As of 2005 the 22 Pacific Island countries and territories are classified into three epidemiological categories:
11 areas- endemic, the foci of MDA programmes
5 areas- partially endemic (Transmission of LF occurs in some parts of the country or the territory)
6 areas- non endemic
Five endemic countries have completed all five rounds of MDA to date.
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| Filariasis in the Pacific before PacELF (left: hydrocoele, center: elephantiasis, right: elephantiasis) |
Achievements
The prevalence of filarial antigen was significantly reduced by an average of 85% in Niue and Samoa after five rounds of MDA.
Six other countries had their prevalence reduced between the initial survey and the follow-up survey after MDA in sentinel sites.
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Future actions
Sustaining on-going MDA programmes, especially in Papua New Guinea
Finding all the remaining “hot spots” of filariasis in remote island communities
Morbidity control, treatment of lymphoedema and hydrocoele, and mosquito vector control
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PacELF way
Participating countries and territories work together towards one common goal, filariasis elimination, while creating friendly and supportive environment for the PacELF “family”.
Home office located in Suva, Fiji, facilitates:
Coordination in ordering of drugs and diagnostics
Efficient communication between members and donor agencies
Opportunities for members to receive advices on program implementation
The Pacific Island governments are the owners of the programme:
The programme is a simple core package of activities
Each county can make its own decisions on implementation of the programme.
PacELF maintains a positive “Pacific” attitude towards a future free from LF.
The PacELF Way needs to be maintained for a few more years, and we are well on the path to the success in filariasis elimination from the Pacific for the future of our children.
