In a significant step towards eradicating filariasis, the Uttar Pradesh government will conduct a Pre-Transmission Assessment Survey (Pre-TAS) from June 25 to July 10 across 152 blocks in 21 districts. The survey aims to assess the current status of filariasis infection in the state.
According to State Filaria Officer Dr AK Chaudhary, the Pre-TAS will be conducted using the Night Blood Survey (NBS) method, wherein blood samples of individuals above 20 years of age will be collected after 10 PM, the time when microfilariae are most active in the bloodstream. If a person tests positive, they will be given a 12-day medication course and monitored by ASHA workers.
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The survey will be carried out through two approaches—random and sentinel sampling. Around 300 blood slides will be prepared from each site. If any site records a microfilaria rate above 1 per cent, a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign will be launched in that area. If the rate is below 1 per cent, a Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) will follow as the next phase.
Health workers have been instructed to conduct the survey in a safe and controlled environment, ensuring samples are taken from awake individuals only, and not before 10 PM. The targeted districts include Amethi, Ballia, Banda, Barabanki, Bareilly, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Kanpur Nagar, Kaushambi, Lucknow, Pilibhit, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Rae Bareli, Sant Kabir Nagar, Sultanpur, Unnao, and Varanasi.
On Friday, Dr Chaudhary held a virtual meeting with officials from the 21 districts, where technical experts from the World Health organisation (WHO) and PATH provided detailed guidance on the survey methodology and protocols.