Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lymphatic Filariasis (LF)
Why in the News?
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF).
About Lymphatic Filariasis (LF):
- Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), or “Hathi Paon”, is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori.
- It affects the lymphatic system, leading to swelling of limbs (lymphoedema) and scrotal swelling (hydrocele), causing permanent disability.
- LF spreads through repeated mosquito bites, making it a major public health challenge in tropical regions, including India.
- India aims to eliminate LF by 2027, ahead of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target.
What is Mass Drug Administration (MDA)?
- MDA is a large-scale public health campaign where anti-filarial medicines are administered to all eligible individuals in endemic areas to stop LF transmission.
- Medication Regimens:
- Double Drug Therapy (DA): Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) + Albendazole
- Triple Drug Therapy (IDA): Ivermectin + DEC + Albendazole
- Key Features of MDA
- Door-to-door supervised drug administration ensures high coverage.
- Drugs are safe, free, and given twice a year in targeted districts.
- MDA is crucial for eliminating LF, as it reduces parasite transmission and protects millions from disability.
- EXCEPTIONS: Children below 2 years, pregnant women, and seriously ill individuals.
PYQ:[2017] Consider the following statements: 1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue. 2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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