Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, August 6, 2025 – Uttar Pradesh is set to launch a massive Anti-Filaria Campaign across 27 districts starting August 10, aiming to eradicate lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, by 2026. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is leading this effort to align with the central government’s goal of eliminating filariasis nationwide by 2027. The campaign will distribute free, safe anti-filarial medicines to millions, targeting the parasitic disease that causes severe swelling and disability.
The Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, running from August 10 to August 28, will cover districts like Amethi, Azamgarh, Ballia, Bareilly, Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Varanasi. In 17 districts, including Bahraich, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Deoria, and Etawah, health workers will distribute two medicines—diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole. In 10 other districts, such as Kanpur, Sitapur, Raebareli, and Mirzapur, a triple-drug therapy—DEC, albendazole, and ivermectin—will be used to maximize impact. These medicines will be given door-to-door by trained health workers, including ASHA workers, to everyone except children under two, pregnant women, and those with serious illnesses.
State Filaria Officer Dr. AK Chaudhary explained that the medicines are safe, with minor side effects like itching or rashes showing they’re working to kill the filariasis germs. “Taking these medicines annually for five years can stop the disease completely in a region,” he said. The campaign also includes night blood surveys to monitor the disease’s spread, Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) kits for affected individuals, and hydrocele surgeries to address symptoms.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called on residents to join the effort. “Even if you feel healthy, take the medicine to protect yourself and others,” he urged, emphasizing awareness as key to success. Community radio, WHO, and PATH are helping spread the message. Despite potential side effects like headaches or dizziness, health workers assure these are temporary and normal.
Uttar Pradesh currently has over 90,000 lymphatic filariasis cases and 21,000 hydrocele cases across 51 districts, as reported in June 2023. The campaign builds on past efforts, like the February 2025 MDA round in 14 districts, which reached millions. With Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and trained health teams in place, the state is working hard to make filariasis history. Locals are hopeful this initiative will improve health and quality of life across the 27 districts.
