On completing 12 rounds of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) against filariasis, the Health Department has taken up a four-year-long transmission assessment survey (TAS) across Vellore district. TAS will help in determining whether MDA should be continued in the district.
Vellore was an endemic region for filariasis. The micro filarial rate has reduced to below one. If there are no new cases at the end of the survey, Vellore could be declared non-endemic region.
As part of the survey, blood smear was obtained from students aged six and seven studying in randomly selected schools in Vellore and Tirupattur Health Unit Divisions in July. In Vellore, 52 schools were selected, while 87 schools in two evaluation units were selected in Tirupattur.
There were six positive cases among the students. The children were given Diethylcarbamazine Citrate tablets and followed up with blood smear test.
Less than 18 positive cases were found in Tirupattur. 1200 students were covered.
An entomological survey is also being taken up in the district.
The reports are submitted to the Directorate of Public Health.
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