Background: Sri Lanka was recently declared by WHO to have eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem, after conclusion of annual mass drug administration. Our aim was to assess the lymphatic filariasis situation, following mass drug administration.
Methods: Surveillance was done in two districts of the Western Province in two consecutive phases (2009-2010 and 2013-2015), by examining 2461 thick night blood smears and performing 250 dipstick tests on children for antibodies to Brugia malayi.
Results and conclusions: Decline in bancroftian microfilaraemia (microfilaria rate 0.32% to zero) supports elimination, but re-emergence of brugian filariasisis (antibody rate, 1.6%; one microfilaria positive) is a cause for concern.
Keywords: Brugia malayi; Elimination; Lymphatic filariasis; Post mass drug administration surveillance; Sri Lanka; Wuchereria bancrofti.
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