Delays in lymphatic filariasis elimination programmes due to COVID-19, and possible mitigation strategies

Prada, Joaquín M, Stolk, Wilma A, Davis, Emma L, Touloupou, Panayiota, Sharma, Swarnali, Muñoz, Johanna, Caja Rivera, Rocio M, Reimer, Lisa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9711-4981, Michael, Edwin, de Vlas, Sake J and Hollingsworth, T Déirdre (2021) 'Delays in lymphatic filariasis elimination programmes due to COVID-19, and possible mitigation strategies'. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 115, Issue 3, pp. 261-268.

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Abstract

Background
In view of the current global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, mass drug administration interventions for neglected tropical diseases, including lymphatic filariasis (LF), have been halted. We used mathematical modelling to estimate the impact of delaying or cancelling treatment rounds and explore possible mitigation strategies.

Methods
We used three established LF transmission models to simulate infection trends in settings with annual treatment rounds and programme delays in 2020 of 6, 12, 18 or 24 months. We then evaluated the impact of various mitigation strategies upon resuming activities.

Results
The delay in achieving the elimination goals is on average similar to the number of years the treatment rounds are missed. Enhanced interventions implemented for as little as 1 y can allow catch-up on the progress lost and, if maintained throughout the programme, can lead to acceleration of up to 3 y.

Conclusions
In general, a short delay in the programme does not cause a major delay in achieving the goals. Impact is strongest in high-endemicity areas. Mitigation strategies such as biannual treatment or increased coverage are key to minimizing the impact of the disruption once the programme resumes and lead to potential acceleration should these enhanced strategies be maintained.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > WA 105 Epidemiology WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Viral Respiratory Tract Infections. Respirovirus Infections > WC 505 Viral respiratory tract infections WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 680 Tropical diseases (General) WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 695 Parasitic diseases (General) WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 880 Filariasis and related conditions (General)
Faculty: Department:	Biological Sciences > Vector Biology Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trab004
Depositing User:	Samantha Sheldrake
Date Deposited:	03 Feb 2021 11:39
Last Modified:	04 Jun 2021 09:58
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/16850

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