Date:10/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/10/stories/2007111054470500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Filaria prevention drive from Nov. 15

Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM: The National Filariasis Prevention programme will be taken up from November 15 to 17 in the city, according to Chief Medial Officer (Health) M.S. Raju. Addressing a meeting of health officers and employees, he said the anti-filariasis drug, DEC tablets, would be distributed among 9.5 lakh people in the city.

27 lakh tablets

As many as 4,378 staff will be deployed to distribute the 27 lakh tablets. However, children below two years of age, the pregnant, the aged and those running high temperature should not take the tablets.

The medicine should not be taken on empty stomach. Those between two and five years of age should take one tablet, between five and 14 years two and above 14 years three tablets.

District Malaria Officer Appala Naidu that in spite of the paucity of staff the spread of filariasis was brought down because of awareness among people.

The prevention programme had been going on for the past three years in the corporation limits. GVMC Senior Medical Officer Durga Kalyani and Biologist Eswarudu participated.