(a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing incidence of filariasis in certain parts of the country ;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) the details of the steps taken/ being taken by the Government to curb it;
(d) whether Government proposes to include the filariasis in the list of handicapped people for getting the rehabilitation benefits ; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) & (b): As per the reports received from National Filaria Control programme (NFCP) Units functioning in 18 States/UTs, there is an increase of Micro-filaria rate in Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Daman & Diu while the other States showed decrease of Micro-filaria rate. The State-wise Micro-filaria rate as reported by the States is given at Annexure.
( c ): The Govt. of India has envisaged, in the National Health Policy, the Goal for Elimination Lymphatic Filariasis by 2015. The strategies for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) are as below:
1. Annual Mass Drug Administration for five years or more to the population excluding children below two years, pregnant women and seriously ill persons in affected areas to interrupt transmission of disease.
2. Home Based Management of cases who already have the disease and up-scaling Hydrocele operations in identified CHCs and hospitals and capacity building for home-based management of cases with Lymphoedema.
3. Integrated Vector Control Management using anti-larval operations at weekly intervals with approved larvicides, biological control through larvivorous fish, source reduction through environmental engineering, water management and personal protection by using insecticide treated bednets.
Govt. of India observes National Filaria Day each year during which annual single dose of Diethylcarbamazine Citrates (DEC) tablets is administered to eligible population in endemic areas.
(d) & (e): Presently there is no proposal to include Filariasis in the list of handicapped peoples for getting rehabilitation benefits.
Annexure
STATE-WISE MICRO-FILARIA RATE
Sl.No. State Mf. Rate (%)
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
1. Andhra Pradesh 1.85 1.36 1.14 0.78 0.57
2. Assam 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.37
3. Bihar 0.52 0.43 0.41 0.36 0.51
4. Goa 0.03 0.05 0.14 0.05 0.10
5. Gujarat 0.18 0.24 0.01 0.14 0.46
6. Karnataka 1.27 0.77 0.62 0.57 0.50
7 Kerala 0.42 0.51 0.44 0.27 0.22
8. Madhya Pradesh 3.12 0.30 0.21 0.19 1.02
9. Maharashtra 1.20 1.36 1.29 1.10 1.00
10.Orissa 1.17 1.44 1.30 1.85 1.39
11.Tamil Nadu 0.09 0.12 0.07 0.04 0.01
12.Uttar Pradesh 1.22 0.70 0.75 0.89 1.81
13.West Bengal 5.54 4.75 3.29 4.85 4.42
14.Pondicherry 0.97 1.03 0.49 0.22 0.17
15.A & N Islands 0.18 0.07 0.66 0.08 0.00
16.Daman & Diu 0.17 0.15 0.12 0.08 0.41
17.Lakshadweep 0.00 1.71 0.00 0.00 0.00
18.Jharkhand - 1.07 0.25 0.03 0.15