Drive to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis underway as territory is only member of the U.S. family where the disease is still found

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The fourth Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for the Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) campaign on island got underway last Sunday morning with a special service at the Leone village Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) attended by members of the Department of Health (DOH).

During the service led by Leone CCCAS Reverend Iese Fa’avaoga, the official proclamation from Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga was announced by LF Coordinator Lynette Suiaunoa-Scanlan.

This was followed by special remarks regarding the LF mass administration campaign delivered by Department of Health (DOH) Acting Director Faraitoafa Utu.

This year’s theme according to Utu is, “Protecting our Future Generation from Lymphatic Filariasis,” a parasitic disease caused by worms that are spread to people by mosquitoes.

Infection with these worms can cause swelling of the genitals, limbs and breasts. The disease is disfiguring and disabling and prevents people from caring for themselves, families, working or going to school.

LF exists in 72 countries and territories including American Samoa and can be eliminated with yearly mass drug administration of safe and effective medicines. Of note, American Samoa is the only location in the U.S. family where the disease is still found, according to the CDC.

Acting Director Utu stated that free medicines will be distributed by health teams led by DOH this week at schools, churches, government work sites, community health centers and during their village outreach programs.

She acknowledged with thanks the assistance their department has received from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Pacific Islands Health Officers Association (PIHOA) and the Samoa Ministry of Health, and also local assistance from the Governor’s Office, ASG Departments and Authorities, Office of Samoan Affairs, Fono, LBJ, StarKist and village leaders.

The current MDA campaign will run until September 22, 2023 and is a followup to the third round of MDA for Lymphatic Filariasis implemented in October, 2021 using the WHO-recommended triple-drug regimen with remote technical support from CDC staff.

LF medicines were available to the congregation after Sunday’s special morning service at the CCCAS Leone — Le Mauga Paia.

The general public is encouraged to take advantage of this service by visiting any DOH booth where staff will be ready to administer the medicines.