Lymphatic filariasis

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), also called elephantiasis, is a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes, primarily Culex quinquefasciatus in India. The parasitic filarial worms Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi are the most common parasitic agents in India. The parasites infect children in early life although symptoms may appear later in their adult life.

As of 2024, over 620,000 cases of lymphoedema and 121,000 cases of hydrocele have been reported in India.^[1] The large number of people living with LF-related complications highlights the urgent need to understand disease transmission and guide effective elimination strategies.

How we address this challenge

We use mathematical modelling to estimate disease burden and inform vaccination strategies.

• Estimate disease burden associated with lymphoedema and hydrocele at national and sub-national levels.
• Estimate the effect of migration on LF elimination.
• Predict LF outbreaks and forecast their potential impact.
• Predict the number of rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) required to eliminate LF.

Ongoing work

We have developed a transmission model to estimate the optimum number of MDA rounds required at the block level for effective LF control. We also conducted spatial hotspot analyses to identify clusters with a high prevalence of LF. Using these insights, we produced a comprehensive report for National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) that identified high-risk blocks and the five key indicators associated with disease risk, providing evidence to support targeted elimination efforts.

Publications

• Ghosh I, Nath-Sain S, Gupta SS, Joshi CP, Jain T, Subramanian S, Banerjee S, Mitra MK. COMET-LF: a compartmental model of dynamics of infection, disease, and elimination strategies for lymphatic filariasis. BMC Infect Dis. 2025;25(1):1514.

References

1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2026, February 10). Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda launches annual nationwide mass drug administration campaign for lymphatic filariasis elimination across 12 endemic states. Press Information Bureau.
   https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2225910®=3&lang=1