In 1997, following developments of tools to diagnose and treat lymphatic filariasis, WHO classified the disease as eradicable or potentially eradicable. In the same year, the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA 50.29, which called on Member States to initiate steps to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. In response to this call, WHO launched the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in 2000. Two pharmaceutical companies — GlaxoSmithKline and Merck & Co. Inc. — made a pledge to donate the much-needed drugs for as long as it would take to eliminate LF.
The elimination strategy has two components:
- To stop the spread of infection (interrupting transmission)
- To alleviate the suffering of affected populations (controlling morbidity)
The main strategy to interrupt transmission is once-yearly mass drug administration for at least five years. Morbidity control focuses on hygiene, treatment of secondary infections and (where required) surgical management.