The Union government has approved to roll out the new triple drug therapy (TDT), recommended by WHO to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) from the country. The recent studies conducted in other countries have determined that TDT is more potent than the existing two drug therapy, in order to eradicate the micro-filariae infection permanently. In India, 650 million people are at the risk of getting infected with the disease across 256 districts in 21 states and Union Territories. India tolerates about 40% of the global LF burden.
TDT includes Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) and Albendazole. Union government has decided to roll out this therapy in each selected district of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. A senior health official from the Union health ministry stated that, “ The Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR) has recommended a phased introduction…
