Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) is one of the most debilitating and
disfiguring of all diseases. One of the most prevalent of tropical diseases,
it is also among the most neglected, because it afflicts poor people in both
urban and rural areas. Rarely fatal, it causes extensive disability, gross
disfigurement and untold suffering for millions: young and old; men, women
and children. In every community where it occurs, this disease remains a
strong impediment to socioeconomic development.
Simple methods to relieve elephantiasis
Three major needs were identified to alleviate lymphatic
filariasis: effective, safe drugs; simple, inexpensive delivery systems; quick and
accurate deagnostics. All have appeared over the past few years, along with
much greater understanding of all aspects of the disease itself. Proven
means are now available to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health
problem.
The Challenge
Do we really want to eliminate one of the world's most depressing diseases?
Can we stimulate the necessary political will and community support? Can we
find and coordiante the necessary resources? There is unchallenged potential
to place lymphatic filariasis alongside smallpox as having been eradicated
from the face of the Earth by concerted human action.
Mectizan, donated free of charge by Merck, and
Albandazole, donated free of charge by GlaxoWelcome, have been shown to
disrupt the transmission of lymphatic filariasis. The challenge is to
bring these drugs to endemic areas and establish distribution systems that
will deliver the drugs to people for as long as they are needed.