Belitung district in Bangka-Belitung Province, Indonesia with a population of 0.27 million is endemic for Brugia malayi and 5 rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) were completed by 2010. Based on the results of 3 transmission assessment surveys (TAS), the district is declared as achieving elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in 2017. The findings of an independent survey conducted by the National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD) in the same year showed microfilaria (Mf) prevalence of 1.3% in this district. In 2019, NIHRD conducted microfilaria survey in 2 villages in Belitung district. Screening of 311 and 360 individuals in Lasar and Suak Gual villages showed Mf prevalence of 5.1% and 2.2% with mean Mf density of 120 and 354 mf/ml in the respective villages. Mf prevalence was significantly higher among farmers and fishermen compared to others and the gender specific difference was not significant. The results of a questionnaire based interview showed that 62.4% of the respondents reported to have participated in MDA in Lasar while it was 57.7% in Suak Gual village. About 42% of the Mf positive cases did not participate in MDA. Environmental surveys identified many swampy areas supporting the breeding of Mansonia vector species. Persistence of infection is evident and in the event of successful TAS3 it is necessary to monitor the situation and plan for focal MDA. Appropriate surveillance strategies including xenomonitoring in post-MDA situations need to be developed to prevent resurgence of infection. Possible role of animal reservoirs is discussed.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Lymphatic filariasis transmission 10 years after stopping mass drug administration in the Gomoa west district of Ghana Christian Akuamoah Boateng, Millicent Selassie Afatodzie, Angus McLure, Bethel Kwansa-Bentum, Dziedzom K. de Souza International Journal of Infectious Diseases.2025; 152: 107790. CrossRef
Xenomonitoring as an epidemiological tool supporting post-stop surveillance of albendazole-ivermectin mass drug distribution in the Bougouni-Yanfolila evaluation unit, Sikasso, Mali, in 2023 Lamine Soumaoro, Housseini Dolo, Yaya Ibrahim Coulibaly, Siaka Yamoussa Coulibaly, Salif Seriba Doumbia, Moussa Sangaré, Abdallah Amadou Diallo, Abdoul Fatah Diabaté, Michel Emmanuel Coulibaly, Ibrahima Dolo, Massitan Dembélé, Alpha Seydou Yaro, Thomas Nu BMC Infectious Diseases.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Current perspectives in the epidemiology and control of lymphatic filariasis Dziedzom K. de Souza, Moses J. Bockarie, Louisa A. Messenger Clinical Microbiology Reviews.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Evaluating the effectiveness of mass drug administration on lymphatic filariasis transmission and assessment of post-mass drug administration surveillance in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Juliana Ajuma Amanyi-Enegela, Joseph Kumbur, Faizah Okunade, Donald Ashikeni, Rinpan Ishaya, Girija Sankar, William Enan Adamani, Moses Aderogba, Louise Makau-Barasa, Achai Emmanuel, Bosede Eunice Ogundipe, Chinwe Okoye, Babar Qureshi Infectious Diseases of Poverty.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Field Validation of Post-MDA LF Surveillance by using Molecular Xeno-monitoring: Preliminary Study in Belitung District, Indonesia Tri Wahono, Mara Ipa, Triwibowo Ambar Garjito, Yuneu Yuliasih, Agung Puja Kesuma, Muhammad Fajri Rokhmad, Sunardi Sunardi, Hafiz Permana Putra Journal of Multidisciplinary Applied Natural Science.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
A Review of Bed Nets Usage and Sewerage Conditions as Risk Factors for Lymphatic Filariasis in Developing Countries Muhafasya Karunia Azzahra, Diva Alishya Shafwah, Cresti Sukmadevi Sondakh, Retno Adriyani JURNAL KESEHATAN LINGKUNGAN .2024; 16(1): 89. CrossRef
Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Status: Wuchereria bancrofti Infections in Human Populations after Five Effective Rounds of Mass Drug Administration in Zambia Belem Blamwell Matapo, Evans Mwila Mpabalwani, Patrick Kaonga, Martin Chitolongo Simuunza, Nathan Bakyaita, Freddie Masaninga, Namasiku Siyumbwa, Seter Siziya, Frank Shamilimo, Chilweza Muzongwe, Enala T. Mwase, Chummy Sikalizyo Sikasunge Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease.2023; 8(7): 333. CrossRef
Vector Surveillance for Lymphatic Filariasis After Mass Drug Administration in an Endemic Area: A Case Study in Bekasi Endang Puji Astuti, Joni Hendri, Mara Ipa, Andri Ruliansyah, Triwibowo Ambar Garjito JURNAL KESEHATAN LINGKUNGAN .2023; 15(2): 134. CrossRef
Finding and eliminating the reservoirs: Engage and treat, and test and treat strategies for lymphatic filariasis programs to overcome endgame challenges Dziedzom K. de Souza, Joseph Otchere, Jeffrey G. Sumboh, Odame Asiedu, Joseph Opare, Kofi Asemanyi-Mensah, Daniel A. Boakye, Katherine M. Gass, Elizabeth F. Long, Collins S. Ahorlu Frontiers in Tropical Diseases.2022;[Epub] CrossRef