Elephantiasis Hits13 LGAs In Rivers

Not less than 13 local government areas in Rivers State have been affected by yet another type of the neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), the Lymphatic Filinasis, otherwise called, Elephantiasis.
The local government areas include, Ogu/Bolo, Ahoada-East, Degema, Andoni, Ikwerre, Akuku-Toru, Khana, Etche, Opobo/Nkoro, Asari-Toru, Okrika and Omuma.
The State Programme Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Promise Komene-Abanee, who spoke to The Tide in his office in Port Harcourt, recently said the disease which is common in adults is manifested by swollen legs due to the obstruction of blood and waterflow in the legs.
Abanee noted with dismay the common ideology that the disease was as a result of evil attack, revealing that it was caused by a parabitic specie of mosquito, Wuchereria bancrofti and affects the scrotum, breast, arm vulva among other parts of the body.
He said “following the global and national guidelines on NTDs, studies were conducted in the state and it was discovered that lymphatic filinasis was endemic in 13 LGAs of the state and the Soil Transmitted Helminthes in 22 LGAs. We are supposed to have two exercises running which is community based and school-based. We have just concluded the School based which is for the children. Elephantiasis manifests more in adults which requires the community-based exercise but unfortunately, there is no fund”.
Abanee who noted that the exercise had taken place in a few of the affected local government areas with funding from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Mission To Save The Helpless (MITOSATH) in 2015 and 2016 respectively said however, that there was still a huge gap to be bridged to combat the disease.
While noting that there is no curative treatment for the disease, the State NTDs coordinator said “it can be reversed at the earlier stage but otherwise it cannot because the blood vessel has been interfered with. Thus, a better approach to it is prevention which entails avoidance of mosquito by sleeping under the Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs), cleaning of drainages, avoiding stagnated water as well as maintaining hygiene NTDs are here with us and so we need to act proactively to contain it”.
Also speaking, the Data Manager, State NTDs, Mordecai Israel revealed that the State had 18 per cent of the disease burden regretting the lack of funds and partners/donors for the combat of the disease.
Israel said “the disease burden is high in the state. The parasite responsible is endemic in 13 LGAs and if no deliberate effort is made in combating it, Lymphatic Filinasis would be an epidemic in the state”.
He further called on the state government to engage in proactive measures towards combating the disease saying “donors like to see your own seriousness and commitment before intervening by way of partnership or sponsorship”.

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