Over 400, 000  people across 12 local levels in Sarlahi district will be given medicines to prevent elephantiasis following a rise in infection in the area.

The District Health Office, Sarlahi aims to provide anti-elephantiasis drugs to a total of 430,941 people, covering about 80 percent of the total population in the 12 affected local levels. 

The District Health Office, Sarlahi has launched a special campaign after the lymphatic filariasis infection was found to be spreading rapidly in several local levels. 

The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division at Teku, Kathmandu, in coordination with the World Health Organization had conducted the test last October by dividing 20 local rural municipalities of the district into two groups.

Balara Municipality, Ramnagar Rural Municipality, Dhanakaul Rural Municipality, Basabariya Rural Municipality, Chakraghatta Rural Municipality, Godaita Municipality, Bishnu Rural Municipality, Koudena Rural Municipality, Malangawa Municipality, Brahmapuri Rural Municipality, Parsa Rural Municipality and Haripurwa Municipality were put into a group and testing was conducted.

Out of 300 samples collected from local levels such as Balara, Chakraghatta and Brahmapuri, 28 cases of elephantiasis were confirmed.As the infection continues to spread, the local public health authority decided to administer preventive medication. 

Earlier last Wednesday, the Office organized an interaction program as a part of its special campaign on elimination of elephantiasis.

Dr Sashi Badel of the Division said although elephantiasis can cause serious damage to the body, it can be preventable if medicines are taken regularly on time.