An Expanded Transmission Assessment Survey to Confirm the Interruption of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Wallis and Futuna

Abstract

Historically, the human prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti infection in Wallis and Futuna (WAF) was among the highest in the Pacific and mass drug administration (MDA) against lymphatic filariasis (LF) either with diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) or the combination of DEC and albendazole had been implemented for decades. To determine whether LF antigen prevalence in WAF was lower than 1%, the infection threshold for elimination in an area where Aedes spp. are the principal vectors, we conducted the WHO-recommended transmission assessment survey in 2012. We present the results of a school-based survey, which targeted 1,014 students in all 13 elementary schools in WAF. From a fingerprick, the circulating filarial antigen (CFA) positivity was checked for grade 2-5 students using BinaxNOW filariasis test (immunochromatographic test). Of 935 children tested, three were positive for CFA in two schools. At the territory level, this was below the critical cutoff of nine cases, if the whole territory was considered as a single evaluation unit. The prevalence of CFA in WAF is less than 1%, reaching the goal for LF elimination set by the WHO. We were able to recommend stopping LF MDA and move to post-MDA surveillance to detect any recrudescence. This survey successfully paved the way for WAF to be validated as achieving LF elimination as a public health problem by 2020.

Lymphatic filariasis in Fiji: progress towards elimination, 1997–2007

“…There are several other Polynesian countries and territories with day-biting Aedes vectors (Niue, Cook Islands, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna) that have achieved validation of elimination of LF as a public health problem, although others are finding it difficult to reach the stop-MDA thresholds or are facing resurgence (Samoa, American Samoa, French Polynesia, Tuvalu) [ 10 ]. The reasons for success or difficulty are varied: some countries are small and relatively compact (Niue [ 38 ], Cook Islands [ 39 ]), have consistent and effective program managers despite being widely dispersed (Tonga [ 40 ]) or had relatively low prevalence at the start of PacELF (Wallis and Futuna [ 41 ]). Unlike some other countries in the region [ 42 ], the four successful countries/territories did not stop MDA until prevalence in all age groups was 1% or below, following PacELF guidelines [ 9 ].…”

Mini-TAS as a confirmatory mapping tool for remapping areas with uncertain filarial endemicity to exclude/ include for mass drug administration: A report from field validation in India

“…The non-invasive feature of MX has an edge over other methods and may be potentially provide a more sensitive measure when the infection is at a level lower than that detectable by anitigen or Mf-testing [20,21]. MX also did not show any agreement with Mini-TAS may be due to young children could be less exposed to mosquitoes than adults and children may be more often protected by bed nets when they sleep than adults [22,23] might cause disagreement between these two parameters. The limitation of MX is that it may not reflect the risk in term of infected individuals.…”

Upaya Pendampingan Pasca Survei Evaluasi Pre-Tas dalam Program Pengendalian Infeksi Filariasis di Wilayah Desa Sentinel Koya Tengah Kota Jayapura

“…Badan Kesehatan Dunia (WHO) telah menetapkan Kesepakatan Global Eliminasi Filariasis Tahun 2020 (The Global Goal of Elimination Lymphatic Filariasis as a Public Health Probelm by the Year 2020) (Pezzoli et al, 2019). Indonesia telah sepakat untuk melaksanakan eliminasi filariasis tahun 2020 sesuai dengan ketetapan WHO tersebut.…”