Therefore, he said the 12 district, including the provincial city of Jaya Pura, are ready to promote Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Month, from October 1 to 30, 2016.
According to Aaron, the 12 districts are Jayawijaya, Keerom, Mamberamo Raya, Mamberamo Tengah, Pegunungan Bintang, Puncak, Puncak Jaya, Nduga, Sarmi, Waropen, Yahukimo, and Intan Jaya.
"The drugs to prevent further transmission of the disease in these 12 districts arrived in Jayapura on September 29, 2016," Aaron said.
Lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis, is caused by a parasitic worm that is transmitted between people by mosquitoes.
The worms lodge inside a persons lymphatic system, affecting the regulation of body fluids and causing hugely swollen limbs and organs.
The obstructions can affect the immune system and the swelling of tissues, extending in some cases beyond the limbs to the face, neck and scrotal tissue, as well as other regions of the body.
The World Health Organization has said that of the 120 million people infected worldwide, 40 million of them are disabled or disfigured.
The campaign during Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Month is targeting all districts where residents are prone to contracting the disease.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
