Surveillance and Evaluation after the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in Hubei Province

Objective To understand the long-term effort and the trends of endemic situation of filariasis after the elimination of lymphatic filariasis and to prevent of lymphatic filariasis recurrence.Methods The serological and etiological methods was used to investigate the areas where residual source of infection might exist.To follow up the former microfilaremia cases in the former endemic areas were conducted.The clinically diagnosed cases and suspected cases were verified and the caring was taken for the chronic patients.Results From 2001 to 2007,23275 human blood samples were examined and no microfilaremia case was found.783 former microfilarimias were surveyed from 2001 to 2006 and no positive case was found.1929 ICT examinations were made for the filariasis circulating antigens in 2000 in bancroflian filariasis epidemic areas and no positive case was found.The positive rate of the IgG4 tests in the important areas was 0.05% and no microfilaremia were found in these positive cases.22 clinically diagnosed cases and suspected cases were excluded after investigation from 2004 to 2008.3 061 chronic patients and one new chronic patient were found after survey in 26 counties.Conclusion With the implementation of the survey of the infection source,The goal of elimination of filariasis had been achieved and the number of filariasis cases remains consistently low in Hubei.