Rate of Filaria Infection Goes Down in UP | 15 Oct 2025

Why in News? 

The rate of filaria infection has fallen below 1% in 544 out of 782 affected blocks (about 70%) across 51 districts of Uttar Pradesh, marking a major milestone in the state’s drive against filariasis. 

• Efforts continue in the remaining 238 blocks, with the state targeting complete elimination by 2027, while emphasising the need to strengthen monitoring, enhance inter-departmental coordination, and share field-level best practices across districts. 

Key Facts About Filariasis 

• About: Filariasis is a parasitic infection caused by microscopic, thread-like worms known as filariae. The bite of infected mosquitoes transmits it and affects millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. 
• Causes and Transmission: 
  • Lymphatic filariasis is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea. 
  • There are 3 types of these thread-like filarial worms: 
    • Wuchereria bancrofti, which is responsible for 90% of the cases, 
    • Brugia malayi, which causes most of the remaining cases, 
    • Brugia timori, which also causes the disease. 
• Symptoms: Lymphatic filariasis infection involves asymptomatic, acute, and chronic conditions. 
  • In chronic conditions, it leads to lymphoedema (tissue swelling) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of limbs and hydrocele (scrotal swelling). 
• Treatment: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends three drug treatments to accelerate the global elimination of lymphatic filariasis. The treatment, known as Triple Drug Therapy (IDA), involves a combination of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine citrate and albendazole.