Times News Network
Kanpur: Around 6.77 lakh eligible individuals will be administered anti-filarial medicines under the National Filaria Eradication Programme, a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, which will be conducted in the Bilhaur, Kakwan, Chaubepur, and Bidhanu blocks from Nov 19 to Dec 7. These parasites could live in the body for 5 years to 15 years, during which time they could damage the lymphatic system. District Malaria Officer AK Singh stated that 90 supervisors and 1,084 drug distributors (DDs) had been deployed to ensure the success of the campaign.
Symptoms of the disease may appear only after many years; therefore, it is essential for eligible individuals, even those who appear healthy, to take the medication. Nodal Officer Dr Rajeshwar explained that filariasis is an incurable disease spread by the bite of the Culex mosquito. When a mosquito that has bitten an infected person subsequently bites a healthy individual, microscopic filarial parasites can enter the latter’s body. This could lead to swelling in the arms, legs, or genitals. The condition can result in lifelong disability, he added. During the campaign for the prevention of filariasis, one should take the prescribed medicines. Almost all preparations for the campaign have been completed.