Anti-filariasis drive in Villupuram

VILLUPURAM : As part of the intensive drive against filariasis, over 27 lakh people in Villupuram district will be administered anti-filarial drugs from November 19 to 21.

Villupuram is one of the 14 districts in Tamil Nadu where filariasis is endemic.

The other districts are Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Tiruchi, Perambalur, Kanyakumari and Chennai Corporation (64 wards).

Preventive measures

At a review meeting held here recently, Villupuram Collector R. Palanisamy focused on preventive measures to be taken up by the Health Department. Deputy Directors of Health Krishanaraj (Villupuram) and Geetha (Kallakurichi) and other officials attended the meeting.

Filariasis, a vector borne disease, was caused by a thread-like parasitic worm, that used to disfigure legs and arms by swelling.

However, with annual dosage, the spread of disease could be checked.

The required dosage is as follows: between two and five years – one dethylcarbamazine (DEC) tablet (100 mg) and one albendazole tablet (400 mg); between six and 15 years – two DEC tablets and one albendazole tablet, and between 16 and 60 years – three DEC tablets and one albendazole tablets.

However, children below two years, adults over 60 years, sick persons and pregnant women should not take the tablets.

At the doorstep

The district administration would depute 12,852 personnel, including health workers, anganwadi workers, members of self-help groups and voluntary organisations to deliver the drugs at the doorstep.

It is targeted to cover 14,27,655 people in the Villupuram health division and another 13,51,016 in Kallakurichi health division.