Cases and Developments of Filariasis Disease and Its Caused in Indonesia

Abstract

Filariasis is a disease caused by filarial worms which are transmitted by mosquito vectors. Filariasis may cause thickening of blood vessels and swollen lymph nodes. Almost all cases of filariasis are not detected until complications occur. Early detection can be done through the examination of peripheral blood regularly. The most commonly found Filariasis cases in Indonesia are caused by a Brugia malayi . Based on the report of 2009, the highest number of filariasis cases were in the provinces of Aceh, East Nusa Tenggara, and Papua, and the lowest were found in the provinces of Bali, Maluku and North Sulawesi. Microfilariae rate indicates the prevalence of filariasis in that area. The highest numbers of microfilariae in Indonesia were found in West Papua, Gorontalo and Papua provinces. Filariasis is a major disadvantage in terms of economic, labor productivity and it can cause lifelong disability. One of the efforts made in the global filariasis elimination program is the mass administration of prevention drug in which the WHO set a minimum target of 85%. In Indonesia, for the year 2005 - 2009 is still at the level of 28 to 59.48 % . The Ministry of Health has planned a program to eliminate filariasis starting in 2014 and continue to have the acceleration program filariasis elimination untill 2020.