Thiruvananthapuram:
The Mass Drug Distribution for lymphatic filariasis, a public health programme being conducted across the state, was inaugurated by Health Minister V S Sivakumar at a function in the state capital today.
The program is endorsed by the World Health Organisation for eliminating filariasis. The administration of two doses of preventive medicines helped the persons facing the threat of the disease, a press release here said.
The scheme is carried out in every five years, with 80 per cent of the population consuming the drugs, ensuring a break in the transmission cycle of the filarial parasite. Health workers would distribute the tablets through home visits.
Health department officials said as long as mosquitoes were around, there is the risk of the organism being transmitted and the strategy was to ensure total elimination of microfilariae in the community.