Lymphatic filariasis in Andhra Pradesh Paper Mill Colony, Rajahmundry, India after nine rounds of MDA programme.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a serious socioeconomic and public health problem due to its morbid condition, social stigma and considerable economic loss. In order to eliminate transmission and to prevent disability due to LF by the year 2015, sixteen districts of Andhra Pradesh have been under mass drug administration (MDA) programme, covering 54 million population with annual single dose of diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) tablets orally1. Rajahmundry town of Andhra Pradesh is one of the worst LF affected areas and is under MDA programme since 1999, covering a total nine rounds of MDA programme till 2008 (Personal communication, Department of Health, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh). Residential colonies maintained by the industries like Andhra Pradesh Paper Mill (APPM) which is situated in the heart of Rajahmundry town often remain separated from Government health facilities, specially for National Filaria and Malaria Control Programmes and managed by their own health infrastructure (Personal communication: The Chief Medical Officer, APPM). A survey was therefore initiated to note the magnitude of LF between May and July 2009 in APPM Colony situated in Rajahmundry on eastern bank of the River Godavari.