DoH crews fan out around territory to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis from our shores

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Health’s fourth mass drug administration (MDA) for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) campaign is in full swing in Tutuila, Aunu’u and Manu’a since being officially launched with a special church service at the Leone Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) on August 13, 2023.

According to LF Program Coordinator Lynette Scanlan, the MDA campaign is being implemented at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center and all medical centers on island, at various public locations with plans to have it done at all schools when they begin the new school year next month, and the DOH staff is going door to door in the villages to administer the medications.

Scanlan also revealed that the same process is being carried out in Aunu’u and the Manu’a islands with nurses and support staff already there to help the staff of the two clinics in Ta’u and Ofu, while three nurses and support staff have made the boat ride to Aunu’u to administer the medicine to the more than 500 people who reside there.

She revealed their staff encountering a few challenges in their door-to-door drive such as being informed by some families that they are not ready to take the medication, and their staff members being put in harm’s way because of hostile dogs.

In an interview with DOH’s Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Scott Anesi whose team was doing the rounds at Leone village, another problem they are facing is not finding all family members at home because many are working.

 “So we have to go back after work hours and by the time we finally knock off, it’s already night time,” Dr. Anesi said.

He saluted his colleagues’ commitment to their efforts to take American Samoa off the list of 72 countries and territories where LF exists by implementing a yearly MDA of safe and effective medicines.

A resident of Leone village taking the medicine that will protect him from Lymphatic Filariasis infection as the DOH crews looks on. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Samoa is the only location in the US family where the disease is still found.

Dr. Anesi is reminding the public that participating in the MDA will ensure that families are protected from the effects of this disease and taking the medication will also treat other conditions such as intestinal worms (I.e. hookworms) and scabies.

He also pointed out that the only people who are exempt from participating in the MDA are women who are pregnant or those who think they are pregnant, breast feeding mothers and children under 2 years of age.

For those people who will be given medication to take, the dosage or the number of pills one will take will be based on one’s weight.

The medications will target the worms and prevent one from developing the effects of the disease.

Dr. Anesi warned that with any medication, there is a chance of side effects or a reaction. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but they’re also serious side effects to look out for.

The minor effects include tiredness or weakness, fever, headache/ dizziness, sore stomach, nausea/ vomiting, while rare effects include skin rash or allergic reaction within 24 hours of taking the medicine, swelling of the face (lips), very high fever and difficulty breathing.

 “The public is advised not to take the medication before driving as you might experience any of these side effects while on the road and end up in an accident injuring not only yourself but also innocent pedestrians or motorists, Dr. Anesi advised.

He also urged the public to clean areas around homes and empty all containers including old tires that may hold water where mosquitoes can breed.

Lymphatic filariasis — or mumu tutupa in Samoan — is a parasitic disease caused by worms that are spread to people by mosquitoes. Infection with these worms can cause swelling of the arms, legs and other body parts. A person can become infected with the worms for a long time before they can start to see the effects of the disease.

The general public is advised to call the LF Hotline at 770-1576 or 699-6380 or <[email protected]> for more information.

The current MDA LF campaign will run until September 22, 2023.