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LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS IN KENYA SINCE 1910, AND THE PROSPECTS FOR ITS ELIMINATION: A REVIEW
Abstract
Objectives: To provide an overview of lymphatic fhriasi in Kenya from the first time its
prevalence was reported to the present day, with suggestio~ns of issues that are yet to be
resolved and to present the prospects for its elimination.
Data sources: Published and unpublished reports on filarias s studies in Kenya.
Study selection: Field-based epidemidogical studies covering a spects of clinical, parasitology,
entomology, social, economic, dingwsi and control of filarii sis.
Data extraction: Review of published articles in scientific jcmrnals and communications,
retrieval and review of published scientific articles front the Internet and personal
communications.
Data synthesis: Re-organisation and pooling retrieved publk hed data.
Conclusions: Almost one century after the first documented report of lymphatic filariasis in
Kenya, no National Control Programme has been instituted. However, important findings
that have implications on its control have been made and they! hould be utilised to implement
a National Control Programme. On implementation of the I iational Control Programme,
research should be focussed on the remaining unresolved is! ues and conducted within the
framework of the Programme. The World Health Orgaeation has targeted lymphatic
fdariasis for global elimination by the year 2020. Kenya is wl :U positioned to formulate her
National Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (NPELF) and join dher endemic
countries worldwide, which have already launched their ldans, in the global efforts to
eljminate lymphatic filariasis as a public M t h problem.
prevalence was reported to the present day, with suggestio~ns of issues that are yet to be
resolved and to present the prospects for its elimination.
Data sources: Published and unpublished reports on filarias s studies in Kenya.
Study selection: Field-based epidemidogical studies covering a spects of clinical, parasitology,
entomology, social, economic, dingwsi and control of filarii sis.
Data extraction: Review of published articles in scientific jcmrnals and communications,
retrieval and review of published scientific articles front the Internet and personal
communications.
Data synthesis: Re-organisation and pooling retrieved publk hed data.
Conclusions: Almost one century after the first documented report of lymphatic filariasis in
Kenya, no National Control Programme has been instituted. However, important findings
that have implications on its control have been made and they! hould be utilised to implement
a National Control Programme. On implementation of the I iational Control Programme,
research should be focussed on the remaining unresolved is! ues and conducted within the
framework of the Programme. The World Health Orgaeation has targeted lymphatic
fdariasis for global elimination by the year 2020. Kenya is wl :U positioned to formulate her
National Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (NPELF) and join dher endemic
countries worldwide, which have already launched their ldans, in the global efforts to
eljminate lymphatic filariasis as a public M t h problem.
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