GlaxoSmithKline and The Carter Center Reaffirm Commitment to Global Public Health with Expansion of LF Program Dec 5, 2008
- GSK CEO marks 10th anniversary of drive to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) with donation of one-billionth albendazole tablet and grant to The Carter Center. LONDON and PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a meeting today with former U.S. President and founder of The Carter Center, Jimmy Carter, as well as global health thought leaders from around the world, GlaxoSmithKline (LSE/NYSE: ) announced that it has made a $250,000 donation to The Carter Center to assist the Ministry... (PR Newswire)
New papers offer insights into process of malarial drug resistance Nov 27, 2008
In addition to malaria, diseases studied at the institute include toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, lymphatic filariasis, leishmaniasis, dengue, and West Nile encephalitis. Contact: Michael Ferdig, assistant professor, biological sciences, 574-631-9973. (EurekAlert!)
'End in sight' for elephantiasis Oct 10, 2008
Lymphatic filariasis can cause severe disfigurement ... Lymphatic filariasis (LF), often called elephantiasis, is caused by parasitic worms and causes grotesque swelling of the limbs, breasts and genitals. (BBC News -- Health)
Elephantiasis Elimination Program on Track Oct 10, 2008
The study, published in the Public Library of Science journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, said the partnership between drug makers and health groups had put the program on track to eliminate elephantiasis, or lymphatic filariasis, by 2020 ... The treatments have also offered further benefits, protecting tens of millions of children and women from intestinal worms and other skin diseases, Eric Ottesen of the Lymphatic Filariasis Support Center in Atlanta, who led the study, and colleagues... (MEDLINEplus)
LF Elimination Program Treats Over Half Billion People and Protects Millions More From Debilitating Disease Oct 8, 2008
- Study demonstrates 'Best buy in public health' LONDON, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A study published today confirms that in the ten years since its initiation, the international effort to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) has made unprecedented strides towards ridding the world of one of its most debilitating diseases ... All of this is the result of the most rapid scale-up of a drug administration program in public health history, delivering what the study calls the "best buy in public... (PR Newswire)
GSK, Merck drug gifts reining in tropical disease Oct 8, 2008
The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis was set up in 1998, shortly after the two drugmakers pledged major support for it to the World Health Organization, and program officials call it the fastest-growing public health program in history ... Lymphatic filariasis is spread by mosquitoes biting people already infected and transmitting microscopic worms in their blood to others they bite. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Trapping Mosquitoes, Without Smelly Chemicals Aug 30, 2008
The research, published in the current edition of the Public Library of Science Journal or PLoS One, could play a key role in surveillance and control programs for Culex species, which transmit such diseases as West Nile virus, encephalitis and lymphatic filariasis ... The researchers began preliminary field tests in Davis and Sacramento but when aerial sprays mitigated the levels of West Nile virus-infested mosquitoes, they set up traps in Recife, Brazil, a city endemic for lymphatic... (Science Daily)
DEET Works Because Mosquitoes Hate the Smell Aug 23, 2008
He and his colleagues set up odorless sugar-feeding stations, including some that contained DEET, and found that DEET actively repelled Southern house mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis, a disease caused by threadlike parasitic worms. The study was published in the Aug. 18-22 issue of the journalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (Washington Post)
DEET's Not Sweet To Mosquitoes, Groundbreaking Research Shows Aug 20, 2008
The mosquito transmits West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis, a disease caused by threadlike parasitic worms. "Despite the fact that DEET is the industry standard mosquito repellent, relatively little is known about how it actually works," said UC Davis research entomologist William Reisen. (Science Daily)
Elephantiasis endemic in 60 villages Aug 15, 2008
Lymphatic filariasis had begun to cause swelling and disfigurement of patients' arms, legs, thighs and genitals, she said. The disease has been on the rise in the regency over the last three years, with eight cases in 2005, 37 in 2006, and 81 last year, Yuli added. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
'Lack of hygiene, unsafe water kills 7.8L every yr' Jun 29, 2008
Nearly 2 billion intestinal nematode infections affect one-third of the world's population while 25 million people are seriously incapacitated by Lymphatic Filariasis, 66% of which is attributable to unsafe water and inadequate hygiene. Trachoma affects 5 million people primarily a result of inadequate hygiene. (India Times, India -- Community News)
The difficulties of living with elephantiasis Jun 7, 2008
Humans contract elephantiasis or lymphatic filariasis through parasite worm larvae that lives inside mosquitoes ... The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis aims to eradicate the disease by 2020. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Stomping Out Elephantiasis May 31, 2008
Profession: Chief Executive Officer, GlaxoSmithKline Cause: Lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis) ... I had never really heard of Lymphatic Filariasis (commonly known as Elephantiasis); in medical school, very briefly, and I thought probably a few hundred people had this disease. (Forbes)
The Philanthropic Pitch May 31, 2008
Name: Jean-Pierre Garnier Profession: CEO, GlaxoSmithKline Cause: Lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis). Name: Anthony Korner Profession: Publisher, Artforum magazine Cause: The Children's Aid Society. (Forbes)
Tourists To Caribbean Urged To Pay One Dollar Each To Help Fight Tropical Diseases Of Poverty May 30, 2008
8 million cases of whipworm (trichuriasis), almost 800,000 cases of hookworm, and 560,000 cases of the parasitic disease lymphatic filariasis, which can cause elephantiasis. In addition to lymphatic filariasis, the Caribbean region also has high rates of schistosomiasis and of the intestinal worm hookworm ... For example, a project in Leogane, Haiti found that giving two drugs (DEC and albendazole) every year to the whole community led to near elimination of lymphatic filariasis after five... (Science Daily)
Broad Analysis Of Pollutants Using Fuzzy Logic Could Guide Water Quality Improvement Apr 19, 2008
However, in many parts of the world dam construction, irrigation development, and flood mitigation have led to an increased incidence of diseases, such as malaria, Japanese encephalitis, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and others. Water quality assessment is an essential part for maintaining good water quality, explained by Ramani Bai Gopinath and Mohamad Rom Tamjis. (Science Daily)
Study finds doxycycline effective against filariasis in Southeast Asia Apr 10, 2008
Approximately 120 million people worldwide are infected with thread-like parasitic filarial worms causing lymphatic filariasis. This tropical disease, found in regions of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, is spread by mosquitoes and causes episodes of acute and chronic inflammation, including elephantiasis. (EurekAlert!)
Schistosomiasis More Debilitating Than Previously Estimated, Study Shows Mar 7, 2008
5, 2007) Once-yearly administration of two antiparasitic drugs to control lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) costs just 0. 06 to 2. (Science Daily)
USAID Fights Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 23, 2008
The initiative will build on U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) investments in NTDs control and will target seven major diseases: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm). Approximately one billion people, mostly in the developing world, suffer from one or more NTDs. (PR Newswire)
Fact Sheet: Fighting Neglected Tropical Diseases Around The World Feb 20, 2008
This Initiative will make a total of $350 million available over five years to provide integrated treatment of more than 300 million people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and target seven major NTDs: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs hookworm, roundworm, whipworm). This investment increases the United States' commitment to NTDs from $15 million in 2008 to... (White House News Releases)
A cure for elephantiasis Feb 9, 2008
Elephantiasis or Lymphatic Filariasis affects 25 million people across 15 states in the country, and this new method has helped to treat over 500 patients. Chief Dermatologist and one of the founders of this Institute, Dr S R Narahari, described it as a pioneering effort, given the gravity of the disease which is affecting the whole social fabric of the patients who are suffering from elephantiasis". "Ayurveda and Yoga is a self care for the management of lymphoedema. (India Times, India)
Seminar on lymphatic filariasis begins on Tuesday Feb 5, 2008
KASARGOD: The three-day national seminar on evidence-based integrated medicine for lymphatic filariasis, other chronic skin diseases and HIV/AIDS will commence here on Tuesday ... According to Dr. Narahari, there are a billion people at risk of getting lymphatic filariasis (LF) in about 80 countries. (Newindpress)
Zanzibar Study Paves Way For Mass Co-delivery Of Three Antiparasitic Drugs Jan 24, 2008
The study shows the safety of delivering three drugs simultaneously -- ivermectin, albendazole and praziquantel -- in order to tackle three diseases, elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), soil-transmitted worms (helminths), and schistosomiasis ... The study, initiated by the WHO in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine's Lymphatic Filariasis Support Centre, examined the possible... (Science Daily)
Drug cocktail could help parasite victims: study Jan 23, 2008
The drugs treat elephantiasis -- also known as lymphatic filariasis -- soil-transmitted worms and schistosomiasis. All the treatments are known to be effective but the impact of delivering them all at once was not known. (Scientific American)
Neglected tropical diseases burden those overseas, but travelers also at risk Dec 26, 2007
Though little known to most Americans, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and other so-called neglected tropical diseases are responsible for severe health burdens, especially among the worlds poorest people ... The researchers found that filarial infections responsible for such diseases as onchocerciasis (river blindness), lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and loiasis (African eyeworm illness) made up 271 (0. (EurekAlert!)
Elephantiasis hits Depok district Dec 1, 2007
Elephantiasis is a symptom of lymphatic filariasis -- a parasitic and infectious tropical disease caused by thread-like parasitic filarial worms which are transmitted by mosquitoes. It causes a thickening of the skin and underlying tissue in sufferers, as the parasites lodge in their lymphatic system. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Parasitic Tropical Diseases In The Americas -- A Legacy Of Slavery -- Can Be Eliminated Nov 27, 2007
26, 2007) Although it has been speculated for more than a century that the slave trade was responsible for bringing many tropical diseases to the Americas, only recently has convincing evidence shown that lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) originated in this way ... "Lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis were most likely imported to the Americas through transportation of millions of persons from sub-Saharan Africa to... (Science Daily)
Millions endure elephantiasis needlessly: study Nov 21, 2007
The condition, also known as lymphatic filariasis (LF), is caused by small, thread-like parasitic worms spread by mosquitoes that can live for years inside the human body and thrive in the human lymphatic system. The researchers interviewed 60 people with different stages of LF out of an estimated 300,000 sufferers in Sri Lanka. (Scientific American)
Mass Drug Treatment For Elephantiasis Is Affordable Compared With Other Public Health Programs Nov 5, 2007
5, 2007) Once-yearly administration of two anti-parasitic drugs to control lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) costs just 0 ... 307 billion people worldwide in 83 countries are at risk of lymphatic filariasis (LF), a disfiguring parasitic disease caused by thread-like nematode worms ... Citation: Goldman AS, Guisinger VH, Aikins M, Amarillo MLE, Belizario VY, et al. (2007) National Mass Drug Administration Costs for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination. (Science Daily)
Divergence receives $734,000 NIH grant Sep 25, 2007
One disease caused by filarial parasites, called lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis, causes massive swelling of the limbs and is the second leading cause of long-term disability, with 140 million cases. Another filarial parasite-caused disease, onchocerciasis or river blindness, is a major cause of infectious blindness. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
A Global Coalition of Good Sep 8, 2007
Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbott Laboratories and others have launched major drug programs, backed by considerable staff efforts, to battle devastating diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, trachoma, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis and more. These and other companies are discovering the powerful added benefits of reaching out to the poor beyond the obvious direct ones: better morale among workers and customers; a boost in campus recruiting; a chance to identify and... (Time.com)
Burma junta faulted for rampant diseases UCB, Jun. 28 Jun 29, 2007
From health clinics in those regions, they gathered data on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and lymphatic filariasis, and interviewed aid officials and health care workers. The researchers found that the widespread distribution of counterfeit antimalarial drugs, coupled with the rise of drug-resistant malaria and tuberculosis, pose a major health threat to the Burmese people, especially those living in border areas where health care is scarce, if available at all. (University of California Newswire, CA)
Over 60 Nepali fall sick after consuming anti-elephantiasis pills Jun 27, 2007
According to World Health Organization website, Elephantiasis is also called Lymphatic Filariasis, which puts at risk more than a billion people in more than 80 countries. Over 120 million have already been affected by it, over 40 million of them are seriously incapacitated and disfigured by the disease. (People's Daily Online, China)
Bogor residents line up for free medicine to fight elephantiasis Jun 9, 2007
Hundreds of Bogor residents aged between two to 65 years old received free medicines Friday as part of efforts to stamp out mosquito-borne elephantiasis, known by doctors as lymphatic filariasis ... Kebun Kelapa resident Roro, 35, said she welcomed the health agency's initiative, saying she never would have known that diseases such as lymphatic filariasis were preventable ... Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic worms that spread by mosquito bite. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Elephantiasis vaccine for Bogor citizens May 9, 2007
BOGOR: More than four million people have been tested for elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis) in greater-Bogor after 20 people were found with the leprosy-like disease, officials said Tuesday ... Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic, thread-like worms. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
W/R GHS to undertake mass drug administration Apr 26, 2007
Sekondi, April 25, GNA- The Western Regional branch of the Ghana Health Service is to undertake a mass drug administration for Onchocereciasis (River Blindness) and Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) in districts endemic to the diseases in the region. Dr. Linda Vanotoo, Deputy Regional Director of Health Services, announced this at a press briefing at Sekondi on Wednesday. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Burkina Faso: Eliminating the 'Disease of the Poorest of the Poor' Apr 11, 2007
Zoundi suffers from lymphatic filariasis, a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that in one form is known as elephantiasis ... About 80 percent of the population will benefit from free medicine given by the government to combat the illness, said Dr. Dominique Kyelem, head of the national program for the eradication of lymphatic filariasis ... The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis was created in 2000 and brings together national ministries of health, WHO, companies in the private... (allAfrica.com)
Drug-Enriched Salt Could Prevent Devastating Tropical Disease Mar 21, 2007
Though little known outside the developing world, the disease called lymphatic filariasis wreaks havoc on millions of people by causing their limbs and genitals to fill with fluid and swell monstrously the symptom commonly known as elephantiasis ... Operationally and socially, it s a challenge to put it into place, said Eric Ottesen, M.D., director of the Lymphatic Filariasis Support Center in Decatur, Ga. (Science Daily)
River parasite eats at children Mar 14, 2007
Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever or bilharzia, has become yet another plague--like intestinal worms, lymphatic filariasis and trachoma--running rampant in Africa, despite an inexpensive and readily available medicine. It is estimated that 200 million people suffer from the malady worldwide, a majority without treatment. (FOX59, IN)
Now, a rapid detection kit for filaria Mar 14, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007. Scientists make rapid detection kit for filaria. (Hindustan Times, India)
RI must stay angry, but temper its anger with wisdom Feb 20, 2007
Armies of other diseases, from the highly infectious to ancient scourges such as leprosy and lymphatic filariasis, must still be tackled, mostly with the help of organizations such as the WHO.. Although it is still very much under debate, if the virus mutates not only into a more virulent one, but also one capable of human-to-human transmission, Indonesia will face big problems because of its financial shortages and the vast territory it must cover. (Jakarta Post)
Stakeholders meet on neglected tropical diseases Feb 7, 2007
The programme would cover all the 26 endemic districts in the Northern and Upper West Regions where pockets of trachoma could be identified, as well as 61 districts in eight regions where Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) could be found, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) said on Tuesday. Five of the ancient neglected tropical diseases 96 Trachoma; Lymphatic Filariasisl; Onchocerciasis; Schistosomiasis and intestinal worms - are associated with... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Malaria Strategic Document to be revised - Official Feb 3, 2007
Professor John Gyarpong, Head of the Health Research Unit of GHS, spoke on the neglected diseases like onchocerciasis, popularly known as river blindness, and Lymphatic Filariasis, which is Elephantiasis, were some of the diseases which attacked people but were not talked about. He said strategies had been put in place to scale up interventions and called for more human resource, infrastructure and logistics as well as funding from the Government to run programmes. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Chronic condition'I developed elephantiasis after an accident in the UK' Jan 21, 2007
In tropical countries elephantiasis is usually a symptom of a disease called Lymphatic Filariasis ... Trudy does not have lymphatic filariasis. (BBC News -- UK)
