A review of the filariasis control programme in Tahiti from November 1967 to January 1968

District filariasis surveys in Tahiti in the years after the Second World War yielded the highest microfilaria rates in the South Pacific area, ranging from 25% to 44%; the mean elephantiasis rate was 5% and microfilaria densities (MfD(50)) ranged from 18 to 31. A co-operative filariasis research programme was begun and a control programme was inaugurated in 1953, using diethylcarbamazine therapy supported by mosquito larvae control measures. By 1959 fifteen districts had received mass treatment. Re-examination after 12 months showed that the mean microfilaria rate had dropped from 31% to 3% and the MfD(50) from 23 to 4. Subsequently, only positives were re-treated and by 1964 the microfilaria rate had risen to 6.8%. The increase caused concern and the significance of this reservoir of infection was investigated.Administration of diethylcarbamazine in periodic mass treatments only in American Samoa began in 1963 and was accompanied by a drop in the microfilaria rate to less than 1%, leading to interruption of transmission in some areas.