Decline of brugian filariasis in Cherthala taluk, Alappuzha district, Kerala.
A total of 4492 persons from 5 panchayats and 1 town were investigated from the Brugia malayi most endemic taluk of Cherthala, Alappuzha district of Kerala state. The urban area in Cherthala taluk only revealed mf carriers; mf rate was 0.13%. Rural areas in Cherthala taluk were free from infection. Microfilaria rate had declined by 99.5% and disease rate by 90.7% in Cherthala compared to 1934 prevalence. Shedding of sheath by B. malayi microfilariae was recorded for the first time in India. The youngest person with microfilaria and disease manifestation was 4 1/2 and 9 years respectively. All the 3 major vectors, Mansonia annulifera, Ma.uniformis and Culex quinquefasciatus were prevalent throughout. Complete disappearance of brugian filariasis from this taluk is a distinct possibility. The reasons for the drastic decline are discussed.
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Regional Filaria Training & Research Centre, Karaparamba, Kozhikode, Kerala-673010.
Rajendran
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Ali
M K Showkath
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Dhariwal
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Lal
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D017178:Brugia malayi; D002415:Cats / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003465:Culex / Q000469:parasitology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005368:Filariasis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology; D019660:Malvaceae / Q000469:parasitology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence