Historical Background/Periodical Development
The National Filaria Control Programme launched in the state since 1957 , based on the findings of one man commission report. National Filaria Control Programme is implemented through following health institutions.

1. Filaria Survey Units. 06
2. Filaria Control Units. 16
3. Filaria Night Clinics. 10
4. Filaria Training Center 01

DEC treatment has been given to the MF positive patients detected through above centers, DEC tab are also available in the Govt. Hospitals, PHCs, Nagar Palika Hospitals, Municipal Hospitals etc.

The programme function under the guidance of the Jt. Director of Health Services, (Malaria & Filaria) Pune. On the lines of Directives received from the Director, National Anti Malaria Programme, Delhi. The Asstt. Director of Health Services,(Filaria) Pune co–ordinance the activities of the National Filaria Control Programme Units.

The population covered under National Filaria Control Programme is 53.68 lakhs. The current anti – larval measures, treatment of Mf carriers, mass drug therapy with diethyl carbomazine (DEC) & Hydrocele operation with vasectomy.

A) Filaria Survey Unit
Filaria Survey Units determines the endemicity by surveying population on random sample basis. State has six survey units (Thane, Pune, Nagpur, Akola, Nasik & Aurangabad) at revenue division headquarters. State has completed all district except Brihanmumbai. As per directives of third assesment committee survey unit should be engaged for resurvey of the old survey district if routine survey has been completed. So resurvey is started of the old surveyed districts.

B) Filaria Control Unit
Main activity of Filaria Control Unit is to control vector density by spraying antilarvals, weekly time spray schedule covers all breeding places in jurisdiction. Assessment survey is carried out of confirming the efficacy of anti larval operations. Detection &Treatment is carried out by Filaria Control Unit.

C) Filaria Night Clinics
The population covered under each Night Clinic is about 50000 and the screening of the total population will take about 2 and half year. 100 % detection and treatment is carried out by Filaria Night Clinic.

The Filaria Research cum training center was established in 1965 at Wardha. Then it is shifted to Nagpur in 1993.The institution was started with a view to give basic training about Filaria to peripheral staff. At present basic training is given to Entomological Assistant/Laboratory Technician/filaria Inspector/Insect Collector & Superior Field Worker in this training Cum Research Centre.

Objectives
The National Filaria Control programme had its objectives as given below

1. To carry out surveys in different parts of the state where the problem was known to exist in order to determine the extent of prevalence, types of infection and their vectors.
2. To undertake large scale pilot studies to evaluate the known methods of filariasis control in selected areas in different parts of states.
3. To train professional and ancillary personnel required for the programme.

The strategy for elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis is revised considering the past experience with mass DEC treatment. Due to poor coverage on account of side effects like fever, headache, body pains, nausea, vomitting, swelling of body parts etc. among mf carriers, during 2001, as per the recommendations of Technical Advisory Group, mass drug administration was carried out in various districts with co–administration of Albendazole. Observing a conclusion, instead of 12 day drug regime with DEC, a single day treatment once a year was found equally effective in reducing the transmission. The new strategy is envisaged to encompass a four pronged attack on the disease.

These are

1. A single day mass DEC treatment at a dose of 6 mg per kg body weight once a year.
2. Management of acute and chronic filariasis episodes to reduce the morbidity associated with frequent acute infections at the doorstep of patients.
3. Information, Education and communication (IEC) to inculcate individual/community based protective and preventive habits as an integral part of filaria control strategy.
4. Continuation of existing control measures in NFCP towns to supplement single dose annual treatment with DEC. National level Goal: To eliminate lymphatic filariasis from India by the year 2015.

Maharashtra State

1. To reduce & eliminate transmission of LF by Mass Drug Administration of Diethyl Carbamazine Citrate (DEC).
2. To reduce & prevent morbidity in affected persons, and
3. To strengthen the existing health care services.

Activities of National Filaria Control Programme
Surveillance

• Organization of Hydrocele operation camps for suitable patients.
• Introduction of Guppy fish in breeding places.
• Spraying on mosquito breeding places with Abate, Baytex, & MLO.
• Morbidity clinics for Filaria patients.
• Minor Engineering.
• Health Education.

Filaria Disease Surveillance has been carried out during 16th to 31st August 2004, in this special surveillance 66072 diseased patients have been find out. (Hydrocele = 27506, Lymphatic Filariasis = 38566).

Mass drug administration (MDA)
100 % population covered by one day Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of DEC tablets on 5th June 2004, in 14 endemic districts viz. Solapur, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Bhandara, Wardha, Godia, Yeotmal, Amaravati, Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Thane, Sindhudurga, & Nanded

• No. of districts selected – 14
• Population covered – 1.58 crores
• % coverage : 76.52%

In the year 2005–06 Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign carried out during 11th to 13th November 2005 in 18 districts, four newly added districts for the campaign are Ratnagiri, Latur, Osmanabad, & Akola. MDA will continue in next five years.