DoH continues drive to wipe out Lymphatic Filariasis in the territory

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Health Department has reached over 6,000 people since launching last month, the third round of Mass Drug Administration, to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) in American Samoa, says project coordinator, Joshua Naseri during a DoH news conference last week Friday.

And “we have to gain more traction as we move towards the end of the year. The goal of the mass drug administration is to catch everyone that is eligible for the LF pills,” said Naseri, who addd, “that is basically everyone except for three population groups — pregnant and breast feeding mothers, children under the age of two and individuals who are considered severely ill by a medical physician.”

Additionally, the LF pill is available at all DoH clinics at Amouli, Fagaalu, Tafuna and Leone. DoH have since opened up two new locations at the DoH’s Maternal and Child Health Program Office next to the U.S Post Office in Fagatogo and the department’s headquarters at the Haleck Professional building.

Naseri said all of these sites will give out pills Monday to Friday, from 8a.m to 1p.m, as the department continues its village outreach, and also sets up tables for the public to take the pills this past weekend at four locations, which are frequented by the public.

“We encourage the public to take the LF pill and help us eliminate LF in American Samoa. All of this is necessary and extremely critical in maintaining the public health of American Samoa,” said Naseri.

The third mass drug administration to eliminate LF was officially launched on Oct. 18th and runs through Nov. 18th. And it started from the west-side of Tutuila, heading east with visits in villages.

DoH epidemiologist, Dr. Aifili John Tufa said during a news conference last month, “We found out that the worm that causes this disease is still around, it’s still here. If you get that worm, that worm is being transmitted by mosquitos. And it can cause disease that is very debilitating. We don’t want anyone to have it. So these pills will kill the worm and will protect you.”

Health officials said early last month that the LF mass drug administration is a joint effort by DoH with the U.S Centers for Disease and Protection (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA).