Brazil Eliminates Lymphatic Filariasis as a Public Health Problem

The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended Brazil for successfully eliminating lymphatic filariasis as a public health concern.

“Eliminating a disease is a monumental achievement that requires unwavering dedication,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “I congratulate Brazil for its efforts in freeing its people from the pain, disability, and stigma of this disfiguring disease. This success is a testament to the progress made in combating neglected tropical diseases, offering hope to other nations still fighting lymphatic filariasis.”

Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is a parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes, causing pain, severe swelling, disability, and social stigmatization for millions over centuries.

Key Actions by Brazil

In recent decades, Brazil has implemented robust measures to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, including launching a national plan in 1997. The country focused on mass drug distribution, vector control, and extensive surveillance in the most affected areas, achieving transmission interruption by 2017.

The success aligns with Brazil's Brasil Saudável program, a multisectoral initiative to eradicate socially-driven diseases. This program, launched by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in February 2024, involved WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros and Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Global Context

Brazil joins 19 other countries validated by WHO for eliminating lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem, including nations across Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia, and the Pacific. In the Americas, countries like the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Haiti are still working towards elimination.

This achievement also makes Brazil the 53rd country to have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease globally.

 

 

Source: WHO