News and Updates from the Mectizan Donation Program
IDA distribution in Samoa
IDA update: implementation of the new WHO-recommended strategy using ivermectin, DEC, and albendazole (IDA) for accelerated lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination in countries where onchocerciasis is not co-endemic is well underway. To date, MDP and the MEC have approved applications from American Samoa, Egypt, Fiji, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tuvalu. MDA for LF using IDA is beginning to roll out in these countries. As shown in the photo, courtesy of WHO WPRO, Samoa rolled out IDA this week, and American Samoa plans to begin next month. Egypt was validated in March 2018 for the elimination of LF as a public health problem. Egypt applied for medicines to implement IDA in hot spots discovered during the post-treatment surveillance period to ensure transmission has stopped.
According to WHO, 57% of the total population requiring preventative chemotherapy to eliminate L, live in the South-East Asia region (nine countries), and 37% live in the African region (35 countries). Dr Jonathan King, scientist in charge of LF elimination in WHO’s Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, states: “Having a more effective combination regimen means we need to overcome poor compliance. What is required now are wide-ranging communication and delivery approaches to maximize community participation during MDA campaigns. National programs will have to reevaluate the performance of existing strategies and engage at-risk communities.”