Why in news? Lao PDR becomes second country in 2023 after Bangladesh to eliminate lymphatic filariasis

Highlights:

• This is the country’s second neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in six years, following the elimination of trachoma as a public health hazard in 2017.
• According to the WHO progress report, the disease Nineteen countries have been able to eliminate LF till date
• Lymphatic filariasis is considered as a globally neglected tropical disease (NTD)

About Lymphatic filariasis

• Specialty-Infectious diseases
• Symptoms
• Most cases have no symptoms
• severe swelling of the arms, legs or breasts
• Causes-Filarial worms spread by mosquitoes
• Features
  • It is a human disease caused by parasitic worms
  • It is the first of the mosquito-borne diseases to have been identified
  • Can be prevented by treating entire groups through process known as mass deworming
  • Elephantiasis caused by lymphatic filariasis is one of the most common causes of permanent disability in the world.
• Occurrence -In tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, and certain Pacific Island nations