Trapping Mosquitoes, Without Smelly Chemicals Aug 30, 2008
The research, published in the current edition of the Public Library of Science Journal or PLoS One, could play a key role in surveillance and control programs for Culex species, which transmit such diseases as West Nile virus, encephalitis and lymphatic filariasis ... The researchers began preliminary field tests in Davis and Sacramento but when aerial sprays mitigated the levels of West Nile virus-infested mosquitoes, they set up traps in Recife, Brazil, a city endemic for lymphatic... (Science Daily)
DEET Works Because Mosquitoes Hate the Smell Aug 23, 2008
He and his colleagues set up odorless sugar-feeding stations, including some that contained DEET, and found that DEET actively repelled Southern house mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis, a disease caused by threadlike parasitic worms. The study was published in the Aug. 18-22 issue of the journalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (Washington Post)
DEET's Not Sweet To Mosquitoes, Groundbreaking Research Shows Aug 20, 2008
The mosquito transmits West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis, a disease caused by threadlike parasitic worms. "Despite the fact that DEET is the industry standard mosquito repellent, relatively little is known about how it actually works," said UC Davis research entomologist William Reisen. (Science Daily)
Elephantiasis endemic in 60 villages Aug 15, 2008
Lymphatic filariasis had begun to cause swelling and disfigurement of patients' arms, legs, thighs and genitals, she said. The disease has been on the rise in the regency over the last three years, with eight cases in 2005, 37 in 2006, and 81 last year, Yuli added. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
'Lack of hygiene, unsafe water kills 7.8L every yr' Jun 29, 2008
Nearly 2 billion intestinal nematode infections affect one-third of the world's population while 25 million people are seriously incapacitated by Lymphatic Filariasis, 66% of which is attributable to unsafe water and inadequate hygiene. Trachoma affects 5 million people primarily a result of inadequate hygiene. (India Times, India -- Community News)
The difficulties of living with elephantiasis Jun 7, 2008
Humans contract elephantiasis or lymphatic filariasis through parasite worm larvae that lives inside mosquitoes ... The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis aims to eradicate the disease by 2020. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
The Philanthropic Pitch May 31, 2008
Name: Jean-Pierre Garnier Profession: CEO, GlaxoSmithKline Cause: Lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis). Name: Anthony Korner Profession: Publisher, Artforum magazine Cause: The Children's Aid Society. (Forbes)
Stomping Out Elephantiasis May 31, 2008
Profession: Chief Executive Officer, GlaxoSmithKline Cause: Lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis) ... I had never really heard of Lymphatic Filariasis (commonly known as Elephantiasis); in medical school, very briefly, and I thought probably a few hundred people had this disease. (Forbes)
Tourists To Caribbean Urged To Pay One Dollar Each To Help Fight Tropical Diseases Of Poverty May 30, 2008
8 million cases of whipworm (trichuriasis), almost 800,000 cases of hookworm, and 560,000 cases of the parasitic disease lymphatic filariasis, which can cause elephantiasis. In addition to lymphatic filariasis, the Caribbean region also has high rates of schistosomiasis and of the intestinal worm hookworm ... For example, a project in Leogane, Haiti found that giving two drugs (DEC and albendazole) every year to the whole community led to near elimination of lymphatic filariasis after five... (Science Daily)
Broad Analysis Of Pollutants Using Fuzzy Logic Could Guide Water Quality Improvement Apr 19, 2008
However, in many parts of the world dam construction, irrigation development, and flood mitigation have led to an increased incidence of diseases, such as malaria, Japanese encephalitis, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and others. Water quality assessment is an essential part for maintaining good water quality, explained by Ramani Bai Gopinath and Mohamad Rom Tamjis. (Science Daily)
Study finds doxycycline effective against filariasis in Southeast Asia Apr 10, 2008
Approximately 120 million people worldwide are infected with thread-like parasitic filarial worms causing lymphatic filariasis. This tropical disease, found in regions of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, is spread by mosquitoes and causes episodes of acute and chronic inflammation, including elephantiasis. (EurekAlert!)
Schistosomiasis More Debilitating Than Previously Estimated, Study Shows Mar 7, 2008
5, 2007) Once-yearly administration of two antiparasitic drugs to control lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) costs just 0. 06 to 2. (Science Daily)
USAID Fights Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 23, 2008
The initiative will build on U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) investments in NTDs control and will target seven major diseases: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm). Approximately one billion people, mostly in the developing world, suffer from one or more NTDs. (PR Newswire)
Fact Sheet: Fighting Neglected Tropical Diseases Around The World Feb 20, 2008
This Initiative will make a total of $350 million available over five years to provide integrated treatment of more than 300 million people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and target seven major NTDs: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs hookworm, roundworm, whipworm). This investment increases the United States' commitment to NTDs from $15 million in 2008 to... (White House News Releases)
A cure for elephantiasis Feb 9, 2008
Elephantiasis or Lymphatic Filariasis affects 25 million people across 15 states in the country, and this new method has helped to treat over 500 patients. Chief Dermatologist and one of the founders of this Institute, Dr S R Narahari, described it as a pioneering effort, given the gravity of the disease which is affecting the whole social fabric of the patients who are suffering from elephantiasis". "Ayurveda and Yoga is a self care for the management of lymphoedema. (India Times, India)
Seminar on lymphatic filariasis begins on Tuesday Feb 5, 2008
KASARGOD: The three-day national seminar on evidence-based integrated medicine for lymphatic filariasis, other chronic skin diseases and HIV/AIDS will commence here on Tuesday ... According to Dr. Narahari, there are a billion people at risk of getting lymphatic filariasis (LF) in about 80 countries. (Newindpress)
Zanzibar Study Paves Way For Mass Co-delivery Of Three Antiparasitic Drugs Jan 24, 2008
The study shows the safety of delivering three drugs simultaneously -- ivermectin, albendazole and praziquantel -- in order to tackle three diseases, elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), soil-transmitted worms (helminths), and schistosomiasis ... The study, initiated by the WHO in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine's Lymphatic Filariasis Support Centre, examined the possible... (Science Daily)
Drug cocktail could help parasite victims: study Jan 23, 2008
The drugs treat elephantiasis -- also known as lymphatic filariasis -- soil-transmitted worms and schistosomiasis. All the treatments are known to be effective but the impact of delivering them all at once was not known. (Scientific American)
Neglected tropical diseases burden those overseas, but travelers also at risk Dec 26, 2007
Though little known to most Americans, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and other so-called neglected tropical diseases are responsible for severe health burdens, especially among the worlds poorest people ... The researchers found that filarial infections responsible for such diseases as onchocerciasis (river blindness), lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and loiasis (African eyeworm illness) made up 271 (0. (EurekAlert!)
Elephantiasis hits Depok district Dec 1, 2007
Elephantiasis is a symptom of lymphatic filariasis -- a parasitic and infectious tropical disease caused by thread-like parasitic filarial worms which are transmitted by mosquitoes. It causes a thickening of the skin and underlying tissue in sufferers, as the parasites lodge in their lymphatic system. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Parasitic Tropical Diseases In The Americas -- A Legacy Of Slavery -- Can Be Eliminated Nov 27, 2007
26, 2007) Although it has been speculated for more than a century that the slave trade was responsible for bringing many tropical diseases to the Americas, only recently has convincing evidence shown that lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) originated in this way ... "Lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis were most likely imported to the Americas through transportation of millions of persons from sub-Saharan Africa to... (Science Daily)
Millions endure elephantiasis needlessly: study Nov 21, 2007
The condition, also known as lymphatic filariasis (LF), is caused by small, thread-like parasitic worms spread by mosquitoes that can live for years inside the human body and thrive in the human lymphatic system. The researchers interviewed 60 people with different stages of LF out of an estimated 300,000 sufferers in Sri Lanka. (Scientific American)
Mass Drug Treatment For Elephantiasis Is Affordable Compared With Other Public Health Programs Nov 5, 2007
5, 2007) Once-yearly administration of two anti-parasitic drugs to control lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) costs just 0 ... 307 billion people worldwide in 83 countries are at risk of lymphatic filariasis (LF), a disfiguring parasitic disease caused by thread-like nematode worms ... Citation: Goldman AS, Guisinger VH, Aikins M, Amarillo MLE, Belizario VY, et al. (2007) National Mass Drug Administration Costs for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination. (Science Daily)
Divergence receives $734,000 NIH grant Sep 25, 2007
One disease caused by filarial parasites, called lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis, causes massive swelling of the limbs and is the second leading cause of long-term disability, with 140 million cases. Another filarial parasite-caused disease, onchocerciasis or river blindness, is a major cause of infectious blindness. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
A Global Coalition of Good Sep 8, 2007
Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbott Laboratories and others have launched major drug programs, backed by considerable staff efforts, to battle devastating diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, trachoma, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis and more. These and other companies are discovering the powerful added benefits of reaching out to the poor beyond the obvious direct ones: better morale among workers and customers; a boost in campus recruiting; a chance to identify and... (Time.com)
Burma junta faulted for rampant diseases UCB, Jun. 28 Jun 29, 2007
From health clinics in those regions, they gathered data on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and lymphatic filariasis, and interviewed aid officials and health care workers. The researchers found that the widespread distribution of counterfeit antimalarial drugs, coupled with the rise of drug-resistant malaria and tuberculosis, pose a major health threat to the Burmese people, especially those living in border areas where health care is scarce, if available at all. (University of California Newswire, CA)
Over 60 Nepali fall sick after consuming anti-elephantiasis pills Jun 27, 2007
According to World Health Organization website, Elephantiasis is also called Lymphatic Filariasis, which puts at risk more than a billion people in more than 80 countries. Over 120 million have already been affected by it, over 40 million of them are seriously incapacitated and disfigured by the disease. (People's Daily Online, China)
Bogor residents line up for free medicine to fight elephantiasis Jun 9, 2007
Hundreds of Bogor residents aged between two to 65 years old received free medicines Friday as part of efforts to stamp out mosquito-borne elephantiasis, known by doctors as lymphatic filariasis ... Kebun Kelapa resident Roro, 35, said she welcomed the health agency's initiative, saying she never would have known that diseases such as lymphatic filariasis were preventable ... Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic worms that spread by mosquito bite. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Elephantiasis vaccine for Bogor citizens May 9, 2007
BOGOR: More than four million people have been tested for elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis) in greater-Bogor after 20 people were found with the leprosy-like disease, officials said Tuesday ... Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic, thread-like worms. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
W/R GHS to undertake mass drug administration Apr 26, 2007
Sekondi, April 25, GNA- The Western Regional branch of the Ghana Health Service is to undertake a mass drug administration for Onchocereciasis (River Blindness) and Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) in districts endemic to the diseases in the region. Dr. Linda Vanotoo, Deputy Regional Director of Health Services, announced this at a press briefing at Sekondi on Wednesday. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Burkina Faso: Eliminating the 'Disease of the Poorest of the Poor' Apr 11, 2007
Zoundi suffers from lymphatic filariasis, a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that in one form is known as elephantiasis ... About 80 percent of the population will benefit from free medicine given by the government to combat the illness, said Dr. Dominique Kyelem, head of the national program for the eradication of lymphatic filariasis ... The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis was created in 2000 and brings together national ministries of health, WHO, companies in the private... (allAfrica.com)
Drug-Enriched Salt Could Prevent Devastating Tropical Disease Mar 21, 2007
Though little known outside the developing world, the disease called lymphatic filariasis wreaks havoc on millions of people by causing their limbs and genitals to fill with fluid and swell monstrously the symptom commonly known as elephantiasis ... Operationally and socially, it s a challenge to put it into place, said Eric Ottesen, M.D., director of the Lymphatic Filariasis Support Center in Decatur, Ga. (Science Daily)
River parasite eats at children Mar 14, 2007
Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever or bilharzia, has become yet another plague--like intestinal worms, lymphatic filariasis and trachoma--running rampant in Africa, despite an inexpensive and readily available medicine. It is estimated that 200 million people suffer from the malady worldwide, a majority without treatment. (FOX59, IN)
Now, a rapid detection kit for filaria Mar 14, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007. Scientists make rapid detection kit for filaria. (Hindustan Times, India)
RI must stay angry, but temper its anger with wisdom Feb 20, 2007
Armies of other diseases, from the highly infectious to ancient scourges such as leprosy and lymphatic filariasis, must still be tackled, mostly with the help of organizations such as the WHO.. Although it is still very much under debate, if the virus mutates not only into a more virulent one, but also one capable of human-to-human transmission, Indonesia will face big problems because of its financial shortages and the vast territory it must cover. (Jakarta Post)
Stakeholders meet on neglected tropical diseases Feb 7, 2007
The programme would cover all the 26 endemic districts in the Northern and Upper West Regions where pockets of trachoma could be identified, as well as 61 districts in eight regions where Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) could be found, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) said on Tuesday. Five of the ancient neglected tropical diseases 96 Trachoma; Lymphatic Filariasisl; Onchocerciasis; Schistosomiasis and intestinal worms - are associated with... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Malaria Strategic Document to be revised - Official Feb 3, 2007
Professor John Gyarpong, Head of the Health Research Unit of GHS, spoke on the neglected diseases like onchocerciasis, popularly known as river blindness, and Lymphatic Filariasis, which is Elephantiasis, were some of the diseases which attacked people but were not talked about. He said strategies had been put in place to scale up interventions and called for more human resource, infrastructure and logistics as well as funding from the Government to run programmes. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Chronic condition'I developed elephantiasis after an accident in the UK' Jan 21, 2007
In tropical countries elephantiasis is usually a symptom of a disease called Lymphatic Filariasis ... Trudy does not have lymphatic filariasis. (BBC News -- UK)
Africa: Grant Boosts Joint Fight Against Neglected Diseases Dec 22, 2006
The five diseases targeted in the projects are trachoma -- an eye infection causing blindness; intestinal worms; onchocerciasis - also called river blindness; schistosomiasis; and lymphatic filariasis -- also known as elephantiasis. Although usually non-fatal and easily curable, NTDs are widespread in poor settings and often cause chronic disability. (allAfrica.com)
The Neglected Tropical Diseases Dec 22, 2006
Seven of the diseases are caused by helminths (worm infections): hookworm, trichuriasis, ascariasis, schistosomiasis and dracunculiasis (guinea worm), onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis ... Insecticide-treated bed nets, which cost just $5 and last for five years, can break the transmission of lymphatic filariasis and greatly reduce the transmission of malaria. (Scientific American)
Can Corporations Save The World? Nov 29, 2006
Can Corporations Save The World. Corporate CitizenshipCan Corporations Save The World. (Forbes)
Disfiguring diseaseThe fight to contain lymphatic filariasis in Africa Nov 15, 2006
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) - commonly known as elephantiasis - can cause grotesquely swollen limbs ... "Lymphatic filariasis is largely a hidden and neglected disease, but with grave socio-economic effects. "It is my view that the media has a role to inform, educate and communicate the appropriate messages relating to the disease, because the condition is manageable. (BBC News -- Africa)
Africa: Health Coalition Targets Diseases Affecting More Than One Billion Oct 29, 2006
They are river blindness (onchocerciasis), elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. "In the same way as we protect people against a number of vaccine-preventable diseases throughout their lives," said Dr. Lorenzo Savioli, director of WHO's Department for the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, "the regular and coordinated use of a few drugs can protect people against worm-induced disease, improving children's performance at school and the... (allAfrica.com)
World Health Organization and Partners Unveil New Coordinated Approach to Treat Millions Suffering from Neglected Tropical Diseases Oct 27, 2006
Preventive chemotherapy in this context means using drugs that are effective against a broad range of worm infections to simultaneously treat the four most common diseases caused by worms: river blindness (onchocerciasis), elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis ... Note to Editors Neglected tropical diseases include: -- Lymphatic filariasis: It is estimated that 1 ... 2 billion people in 83 countries live in areas endemic for lymphatic... (PR Newswire)
Africa: Cheap Antibiotic Could Reverse Elephantiasis Sep 29, 2006
Research in Ghana has shown that a single course of a cheap antibiotic can prevent and relieve symptoms of the disfiguring tropical disease lymphatic filariasis. The disease, also known as elephantiasis, is caused by parasitic worms that are spread from person to person by mosquitoes. (allAfrica.com)
Elephantiasis endemic in rural Indonesia Sep 27, 2006
This is the family of worms that cause lymphatic filariasis in humans ... In lymphatic filariasis, pairs of male and female worms take up residence in lymphatic vessels, where they mate and give birth to many thousands of larval worms ... Elephantiasis is the proverbial tip of the iceberg of long-standing endemic lymphatic filariasis. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
RTI to lead $100M effort to fight tropical diseases Sep 27, 2006
The USAID-funded program will focus on seven of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases, including trachoma, or blinding eye infection; soil-transmitted helminths, or hookworms, ascaris and trichuris; onchocerciasis, or river blindness; schistosomiasis, or snail fever; and lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis. Those seven diseases were selected because they can be treated through large-scale programs using established drugs, according to RTI. The project will target countries in Africa,... (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
Pill 'defeats elephant disease' Sep 25, 2006
The condition - also known as Lymphatic Filariasis - causes severe swelling in the limbs or scrotum and affects 120m people globally, mainly in the tropics ... People affected by Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) often cannot work or marry, and can be shunned by others in their village because of their disfigurement. (BBC News -- Health)
UPDATED: USAID Announces $100 Million Award to Reduce Impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Developing Nations Sep 23, 2006
"This significant investment will improve the lives of millions of people afflicted with disabling conditions through effective, low-cost, mass drug administration and associated education programs," said Richard Greene, Director of the Office of Health, Infectious Disease and Nutrition at USAID. The USAID-funded program will focus on controlling seven of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases; trachoma (blinding eye infection), hookworm, ascaris, trichuris (three soil-transmitted... (PR Newswire)
Bogor vigilant over elephantiasis Sep 4, 2006
ELEPHANTIASIS: The Bogor Health Agency gives free medicine for lymphatic filariasis, known as elephantiasis, to 152,778 people between the ages of two and 65 in Sukadamai village, Tanah Sereal, Bogor ... The Bogor Health Agency gives free medicine for lymphatic filariasis, known as elephantiasis, to 152,778 people between the ages of two and 65 in Sukadamai village, Tanah Sereal, Bogor. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Waterborne infectious diseases could soon be consigned to history, says expert Aug 25, 2006
In Africa some 500 million people need treatment to control diseases such as disfiguring elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), river blindness (onchocerciasis), schistosomiasis, intestinal worms and the blinding eye infection trachoma ... Lymphatic Filariasis. (EurekAlert!)
Shame and poverty haunt victims of 'water bulge' disease Aug 9, 2006
a woodcutter, has lymphatic filariasis, a disease in which clusters of four-inch worms as fine as blond hairs nest in the lymph nodes, the body's drainage system, stretching them until lymph fluid can only drain downward ... But one great tragedy of lymphatic filariasis is that it is not curable. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Read more... May 17, 2006
The Bill da Gates Foundation announced that The Carter Center has been selected to receive the 2006 Gates Award for Global Health, in recognition of its pioneering work to fight neglected diseases such as Guinea worm, river blindness, trachoma, schistosomiasis, and lymphatic filariasis ... Leading campaigns to control and treat lymphatic filariasis and schistosomiasis. (PNN Online)
China to be Officially Designated Free of Lymphatic Filariasis Mar 29, 2006
SUVA, Fiji, March 29 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- China is slated to be officially declared free of the debilitating disease lymphatic filariasis, 15 years ahead of the global elimination target of 2020. (Logo: ) China submitted today its application for verification of the elimination of the transmission of the disease to the World Health Organization at the meeting in Suva, Fiji, of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis ... "The success of China and soon that of the Republic of Korea... (PR Newswire)
Global program to eliminate elephantiasis has early success in ... Mar 27, 2006
Infections with the worms, which are spread by mosquitoes, can lead to lymphatic filariasis, a condition where the worms lodge in lymphatic vessels ... According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lymphatic filariasis is a leading cause of chronic disability in the world ... 5 million people in 181 Egyptian localities affected by lymphatic filariasis. (Innovations-Report)
New Data in Lancet Confirm Potential to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis Mar 24, 2006
PHILADELPHIA, March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Clear evidence that Lymphatic Filariasis (LF, commonly known as elephantiasis) can be eliminated is reported in the March 25 issue of The Lancet ... Commenting on the data Professor David Molyneux of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine says "In this landmark publication, new data from the national program in Egypt show that we can, using the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended strategy of an annual drug distribution, end the cycle of... (PR Newswire)
