Filariasis in West Irian, Indonesia: a survey of six villages.
A survey of 1,551 inhabitants in six villages of West Irian was undertaken to determine the presence and distribution of Wuchereria bancrofti and other filariae. Results confirmed the presence of bancroftian filariasis only in low-lying inland villages and its absence from coastal villages. Microfilariae were detected in thick blood films taken during evening hours in 48 of 168 (28.5%) persons in Senggo, and 65 of 190 (34.2%) in Tamnem, a neighboring village situated to the south of the central mountain range. Males were more frequently infected than females, and infection rates tended to be highest in those of both sexes 20 years or older. Filariasis was not found in the coastal villages of Amamapare, Kokonao, Timika or the mountain village of Waa.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D008297:Male