World Health Organization Collaborating Center
for the Control of Lymphatic Filariasis

The global impact of tropical diseases has grown tremendously over the last few decades despite much action from all quarters, including WHO. The magnitude of the problem is staggering with more than 500 million people suffering from one or more tropical diseases annually. The impact of tropical diseases - sickness, incapacitation, disfigurement, reduced ability to work and death - is such that social and economic progress is impeded and considerable physical and mental suffering is imposed on people already living in poor conditions. To address these problems, the WHO Division of Control of Tropical Diseases (CTD) and the UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) have taken the lead role in the development of strategies for control, research and training. WHO’s goals and targets in carrying out control, research and training activities are based upon priorities which have been determined by the international health community, taking into account epidemiological factors and the feasibility of disease control and elimination.

Reports & Resources

Focus Group Discussion with Community Members on Lymphatic Filariasis and its Control (2004)
Evaluation of the lymphatic filariasis control programme, Samarai Murua District, Papua New Guinea (2004)
Using the multiple perspective approach to understanding local issues regarding lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific region (2003)
Annual Report (2003)

Staff

Rev. Dr. Wayne Melrose, Director, Medical Parasitologist
Associate Professor Rick Speare, Medical Parasitologist
Associate Professor Peter Leggat, Tropical Medicine Specialist
Dr. Alan Hauquitz, Health Economist
Dr. Deon Canyon, Medical Entomologist

Collaborators and Partners

Professor Eric Ottesen, Director, Emory Lymphatic Filariasis Support Center
Professor David Molyneaux, Director, Liverpool Lymphatic Filariasis Support Center
Dr. Kevin Palmer, Director, Western Pacific Regional Office, WHO
Dr. Kasuyo Ichimori, PacELF Team Leader, WHO
Dr. Jean-Paul Chaine, PIHOA Regional Epidemiologist, Federated States of Micronesia
Dr. Gilbert Hiawalyer, Chairman PNG Medical Review Committee
Dr. Moses Bokarie, Medical Entomologist, PNG IMR
Dr. Mark Bradley, Glaxo Smith Kline

History of the Collaborating Center

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Lymphatic Filariasis was established in the Filariasis Control Section within the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (SPH&TM) in 1997, to act as a resource base for people undertaking filariasis control. The Centre sees its role as assisting existing programmes by providing education, training and other resources and networking facilities. It also assists in the design and development of new control strategies in countries with no current programs.

As part of the coordinated approach to filariasis elimination in the region an advisory board has been established for the Collaborating Centre. This advisory board comprises key personnel from the region who have expertise in filariasis or health programme implementation and they can be contacted for advice in key areas.

Current on-going research

Filarial immunology - the differing immunological profiles in various stages of infection and their role in promoting chronic pathology.
The role of filarial infection in renal disease and the interaction of filariasis in other diseases such as Tb.
Improved diagnostics - the Centre has been involved in a multicentre trial of various diagnostic techniques and is currently evaluating a new rapid test for Brugia species in collaboration with the University of Malaysia.
Risk, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic filariasis in expatriates.

Future research plans

An important feature of the future research program is to include social and economic projects.
The use of tetracycline and an alternative strategy for filariasis control.
The effect of filarial-induced immunosuppression on the efficacy of vaccination

Programs

Current support activities are focused on the Pacific Elimination of Filariasis Program "PacELF" and East Timor.
A survey of intestinal parasites and filariasis has just been completed in East Timor and the Centre is involved in the planning of a national control program for East Timor.
The Centre, is collaborating with the University of Papua New Guinea, the Milne Bay Health Department and Glaxo Smith Kline to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the Samarai-Morua filariasis control program in the Milne Bay province of Papua New Guinea. This program is the first one run under the current global elimination protocol to finish five years of annual mass drug administration. The evaluation will cover clinical aspects, parasitology, sociology, and health economics.
Associate Professor Peter Leggat is heading a team, which is carrying out the Papua New Guinea arm of a WHO-funded, multi-national, multi-center study of advocacy in lymphatic filariasis.

Links

School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine & Rehabilitation Science

World Health Organization Collaborating Center for the Control of Lymphatic Filariasis