Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease (NTD). Infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.

Filariasis being a major parasitic infection, continues to be a public health problem in the Philippines. Consolidated field reports showed a prevalence rate of 9.7% per 1000 population in 1998.

It is the second leading cause of permanent and long-term disability. The disease affects mostly the poorest municipalities in the country about 76% of the case live in the 4th-6th class type of municipalities.

The World Health Assembly in 1997 declared “Filariasis Elimination as a priority” where the World Health Organization’s (WHO) call for global elimination was created (WHA 50.29 Resolution: Elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem).

Moreover, above was followed by the Global Program for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, launched by WHO which has two main components that were adopted by the national program:

1) Interruption of Transmiasion thru achieving a prevalence of microfilaremia of less than 1% and Antigen rate of <1% through Mass Drug Administration (MDA); and 2) Control and reduce the morbidity by alleviating the sufferings and disability caused by its clinical manifestations through Morbidity Management Disability Prevention (MMDP). As commitment to the above, the Department of Health (DOH) shifted its program strategy from a mere control to elimination of the disease. Hence. The DOH issued Administrative Order #25-A, s.1998 issued in 2004.

In the said AO, a major strategy of the Elimination Plan is to do Mass Annual Treatment using the combination drug, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and Albendazole for a minimum of 5 years to individuals ages 2 years old and above living in established endemic areas after the issuance from WHO of the safety data on the use of the drugs.

Furthermore, the Philippine Plan was approved by WHO which gave the government free supply of the Albendazole (donated by GSK thru WHO) for filariasis elimination.

With the approval of the Plan it paved the way in the issuance of another Administrative Order issued by the Secretarybof Health declaring November as Filariasis Mass Treatment Month.

Meanwhile, the guideline was issued in the prevention of disabilities due to lymphatic Filariasis in support to effective implementation of management of morbidity and prevention of disabilities due to Filariasis. #NPC-CPD.