After a disruption in the state assembly on Thursday over the alleged increase in the cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the district, district health department officials claimed that Palghar has not seen any new cases of elephant infection in the last two years.
Officials said that there are around 600 cases of elephantiasis in the district at present. Indian Express,
According to the data, out of the total 619 confirmed cases of elephantiasis in the district – 445 – were reported in women as compared to men, of whom only 174 had contracted the disease.
Under the National Filariasis Control Programme, out of the eight taluks in Palghar district, Vasai (267) has the highest number of elephant cases, followed by Palghar (193) and Dahanu (130).
“No new case has been reported in the district in the last 2-3 years. Earlier, we had around 700 cases, which have come down to 619 due to migration and some deaths,” said Dr Sagar Patil, District Malaria Officer. “The areas of Nagpur division have almost 10 times more cases of elephant infection than Palghar,” he said.
Elephantiasis, also known as lymphatic filariasis, is a pernicious disease caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filarioideae, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
House proceedings were disrupted during Question Hour after Maharashtra’s newly-appointed Health Minister Tanaji Sawant failed to give a satisfactory reply regarding “increasing cases of elephantiasis” and “illegal abortions” in Beed district.
Commenting on the same, Dr Patil said that the question asked was “vague”. Explaining that mosquito-infected larvae are deposited on the skin from where they can enter the body, he said, “Thus, if we find the presence of microfilariae (an early stage in the parasite’s life cycle) in the person’s blood It does not mean that the person has elephantiasis.When the larva turns into an adult and multiplies in numbers, it affects the lymphatic vessels causing elephantiasis.
The presence of microfilariae can be treated like any other deworming treatment regimen. But when it leads to elephantiasis, there is no cure. So prevention is the only solution.”
In communities where filariasis spreads, people of all ages are affected by the infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while the infection can be acquired during childhood, its visible manifestations tend to occur later in life. Therefore, on an annual basis, the district conducts random testing among children, as per WHO guidelines. These microscopic, thread-like worms are detected by a blood test. But as per the protocol, strict time windows of the day should be followed. “We collect blood only at night which shows the feeding activities of vector insects. We have a special health team for this,” said Dr Patil.
The district also has annual door-to-door mass drug administration, where citizens are provided with a single dose of Diethylcarbamazine. The last drive was held in May this year.
“Annually, the campaign is being run regularly. In fact, villagers who refuse to participate in it have to be counselled,” said Sita Shankar Ghatal, an activist associated with Palghar-based NGO Bal Sanjivan Chhawni.