Filariasis Endemicity in Several Areas with Various Frequencies of Mass Drug Administration

In Indonesia filariasis elimination program has started since 2002 using diethylcarbamazine citrate–mebendazole combination once a year. The aim of the study was to evaluate the implementation of filariasis elimination program in districts and to identify the endemicity of areas which is not yet as well as already conducted various frequencies of mass drug administration (MDA). A mass blood survey have been carried out in Ogan Komering Ulu Timur, South Sumatra was not yet treated, Indragiri Hilir, Riau was one time MDA; Tanjung Jabung Barat, Jambi was two times MDA; Kota Dumai, Riau was 3 times MDA; and Banyuasin, South Sumatra was 4 times MDA). Peripheral blood examination was done in a certain number of inhabitants in those districts and a number of animal reservoirs such as domestic cats and silver leaf monkeys. Twenty microliter of peripheral blood was taken for blood smear preparation, stained with giemsa and examined under the microscope. Species identification and parasite count were done if the slide was positive. Data on treatment coverage and endemicity before and after MDA were obtained from the local health services. It was found that microfilaremia rate (mf-rate) in all sentinel villages in 4 districts were 0%, except in Banyuasin district after 4 times MDA the Mf-rate was 0,12 % (1/835). Even though in certain spot check villages the mf-rate was still > 1%. The infection rates in cats were ranged from 0% to 26,67% (8/38). It was concluded that without considering the frequency of MDA in sentinel villages, the mf-rate in all districts were decreased to <1%. Intersector collaboration is needed to handle the animal reservoir especially cats. Keywords: filariasis, endemicity, mass drug administration, mf-rate.