Strengthening Control Measures of Post-eradication of Lymphatic Filariasis in QingshenCounty,Sichuan Province

Objective To evaluate the prevalent trend of filariasis and the prognosis of chronic filariasis by understanding the long-term effect of implementation of strengthening control measures on maintenance of lymphatic filariasis basic eradication in Qingshen county.Methods Comprehensive control measures including continuous,repeated examination,treatment of residual lymphatic filariasis patients,implementation of mass drug treatment and surveillance of high-risk population of remote village,were performed to monitor the prognosis of chronic filariasis patients and maintenance of filarial eradication.Results During the surveillance in 1984 after announcement of basic elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Qingshen county,totally 3 patients with microfilaria density of 1-8 and 2-13 per 120 μl blood were found in 578 people in endemic area and in 1100 people in surrounding area,respectively.Only 1 original patient remained positive with 19 microfilaria/120 μl blood in the surrounding area in 1985.With the implementation of strengthening control measures,no microfilaria has been determined in any people for consecutive 26 years since 1986.The chronic infection patients have been dropped from 37 before announcement of filariasis basic eradication to 12 in 2010..No new chronic patient had been found since 1988.The residual chronic patients were featured in old-age and long-term course.Conclusion No local infectious patient was found in Qingshen county after eradication of lymphatic filariasis,indicating the significant long-term effectiveness of the implementation of strengthening control measures.The population born after the year 1988 has been effectively protected.Further works should focus on the surveillance of imported patient and the care of existing chronic patients.