51 UP districts endemic to elephantiasis

LUCKNOW: As many as 51 of UP's 75 districts are endemic to lymphatic filariasis, a disease caused by mosquitoes, according to the state health department.

The disease, often called elephantiasis or haathipaon, is a painful condition that disfigures the feet of a person besides posing a risk of disability. The infection, that is usually acquired in the lymphatic system, shows up later in the age. The 51 districtsincluding Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Rae Bareli, Kannauj and Varanasi were endemic to the disease.

"To prevent this, a national programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis was launched in 2004 under which anti-filaria drug is administered to the people. As a part of the same, the mass drug administration drive will start from Wednesday," said additional chief medical officer Lucknow Dr KP Tripathi. He urged the people to cooperate with health workers. At the same time, he cautioned that medicine should not be taken on an empty stomach. He also said that children below two years of age, pregnant women and unwell elders should not take the medicine.