The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates Brazil for having eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. Eliminating a disease is a momentous accomplishment that takes unwavering commitment. I congratulate Brazil for its efforts to free its people of the scourge of this painful, disfiguring, disabling and stigmatizing disease.
This is another example of the incredible progress we have made against neglected tropical diseases and gives hope to many other nations still fighting against lymphatic filariasis that they too can eliminate this disease." Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a debilitating parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes.
For centuries, this disease has afflicted millions worldwide, causing pain, chronic, severe swelling, serious disability, and social stigmatization. Effective country-level investments Over the past few decades, Brazil has implemented integrated actions to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, including the development of a national plan to fight this disease in 1997, the mass distribution of antiparasitic drugs, vector control activities, and strong surveillance, particularly in the most affected areas. With these efforts, the country achieved the end of disease transmission in 2017.
The elimination of lymphatic filariasis was also one of the goals of the Brasil Saudável program, a multisectoral initiative aimed at ending socially determined diseases .
