2024-03-13 05:08:55
The Health Department is launching a campaign to distribute treatment against elephantiasis in Huahine from March 18 to 28. It will continue from April 24 to 29 on Rikitea. These two islands are, according to the latest survey, the two active circulation zones for filariasis.
No, filariasis has not completely disappeared from fenua. For several years, the Health Department has regularly organized campaigns to distribute treatment against the filarial parasites responsible for the disease more commonly called elephantiasis. This tropical disease, transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, is often asymptomatic in the first years, but gradually impairs the functioning of the lymphatic system. It thus results in an abnormal increase in the volume of certain parts of the body which gives “lead to pain, severe disability and social stigma”, explain health professionals. Since 2015, surveillance surveys carried out among the population and CP and CE1 students have led to the conclusion that the infection tends to be eradicated with fenua.
Leeward Islands and Southern Marquesas Islands under surveillance
In Tahiti, Moorea-Maiao, the Northern Marquesas, the Austral Islands and the Tuamotus, “there is no traffic”,and surveillance is therefore discontinued in accordance with WHO recommendations. Same observation in most of the Leeward Islands and the Southern Marquesas, which however remain under surveillance. On the other hand, filariasis is still active in Huahine and in the Gambier archipelago. For these two « active circulation zones of filariose », the Health Department is therefore launching a mass treatment distribution campaign to destroy the larvae or microfilariae present in the human body. Health Directorate agents will travel to Huahine from March 18 to 28 and to Rikitea from April 24 to 29 to meet the population and administer treatment at home but also in schools.
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