138m Nigerians at risk: There are an estimated 138 million Nigerians at risk of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), which, if left untreated, can lead to elephantiasis and swollen scrotum in men.
Emmanuel Davies, Deputy Director/Program Manager, National LF Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, disclosed this during a media dialogue on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic, thread-like worms, according to Wikipedia. Adult worms can only be found in the human lymph system.
The disease is spread by female mosquito bites, and it is classified as a neglected tropical disease worldwide (NTD).
According to Davis, LF is one of many diseases associated with NTDs in rural areas and among low-income earners in Nigeria and the African Sub-Region.
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“Other chronic NTDs include Trachoma, Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted, Helminthiasis, Onchocerciasis (River blindness), and are treated with preventive chemotherapy.
“The others in the case management NTDs categories are snake bite, dog bite (Rabies), yaw, and trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness),” he explained.
He went on to say that if this disease is not treated quickly, the affected people will develop elephantiasis and swollen scrotums in men in the near future.
Mass Administration of Medicine (MAM), using ivermectin and Albendazole tablets, must be taken annually to prevent this disease in affected areas in Nigeria.
“Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) must be activated in states to ensure affected persons have basic healthcare, we must guide against mosquito bites.
“We must begin to take programmatic steps for interruption of LF transmission which Nigeria has modified and adapted.
“We must start doing assessment in LGAs that are due to stop treatment to meet the global elimination date of 2030,” said Davis.
He stated that the prevalence study conducted between year 2000 and 2018 in 774 LGAs in Nigeria, showed that 75.3 per cent LGAs were endemic for LF disease in 36 states and the FCT.
According to him, 24.7 per cent of LGAs in Nigeria are not endemic for LF disease.
He said there was need for mass administration of medicines of the at-risk population area in Nigeria.
138m Nigerians at risk/(NAN)
