Filariasis and its control in Fujian, China

Epidemiological survey of filariasis in Fujian Province, China showed that malayan filariasis, transmitted by Anopheles lesteri anthropophagus was mainly distributed in the northwest part and bancroftian filariasis with Culex quinquefasciatus as vector, in middle and south coastal regions. Both species of filariae showed typical nocturnal periodicity. Involvement of the extremities was not uncommon in malayan filariasis. In contrast, hydrocele was often present in bancroftian filariasis, in which limb impairment did not appear so frequently as in the former. Hetrazan treatment was administered to the microfilaremia cases identified during blood examination surveys, which were integrated with indoor residual spraying of insecticides in endemic areas of malayan filariasis when the vector mosquito was discovered and with mass treatment with hetrazan medicated salt in endemic areas of bancroftian filariasis. At the same time the habitation condition was improved. These factors facilitated the decrease in incidence. As a result malayan and bancroftian filariasis were proclaimed to have reached the criterion of basic elimination in 1985 and 1987 respectively. Surveillance was pursued thereafter and no signs of resurgence appeared.