Low dosage diethylcarbamazine administered by villagers for the control of timorian filariasis

Abstract

The results of mass treatment using low dosage diethylcarbamazine (DEC) in three small villages in West Flores, Indonesia, endemic for Brugia timori are described. DEC was distributed on a weekly basis by motivated persons in the community to nearly all villagers for 18 months. An educational programme was developed which focused on describing the relationship between microfilaraemia, vector and disease manifestations, the danger of repeated attacks of adenolymphangitis, and the efficiency of DEC in eliminating the parasites and attacks. During the consolidation phase motivated persons were assigned to treat promptly all cases with acute filariasis and to distribute DEC to all new residents. With this programme the microfilaria rates decreased to very low levels, even as detected by the use of membrane filtration techniques. The adenolymphangitis rates also decreased. An unexpected bonus was the cure of "elephantiasis" in many people. Mild side effects attributed to DEC were encountered only during the first few weeks of treatment.