Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Preshila Chandimali Samaraweera WHO Country Office- Sri Lanka Preshila Chandimali Samaraweera 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Dr.Indiewarie Eranga Gunarathana Anti Filaria Campaign ,Ministry of Health Sri Lanka Dr.Indiewarie Eranga Gunarathana
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Dr.Udaya Issac Rathnayake Anti Filaria Campaign, Ministry of Health Sri Lanka Dr.Udaya Issac Rathnayake
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Dr.Murali Vallipuranathan Anti Filaria Campaign ,Ministry of Health Sri Lanka Dr.Murali Vallipuranathan
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Assessment of transmission of filariasis in post-validation surveillance phase in Kurunegala district in Sri Lanka |
| Public title | Transmission Assessment survey |
| Background | Transmission Assessment Surveys (TAS) are conducted after several rounds of Mass Drug Administrations (MDA) to evaluate the transmission status of filariasis in endemic countries. Routine survey results show low population coverage in each year. Further, it is not carried out according to a sampling technique but conducted according to random sample sizes depending on feasibility. Most of the surveys are targeted to achieve geographical coverage rather than population coverage. Therefore, there is ample opportunity of unnoticed continuous or resurging transmission in the community and incorrect interpretation of the findings. Special surveys with more human resources and according to a probability sampling technique should be planned and implemented to see level of transmission in post elimination phase. Anti Filariasis Campaign is planning to conduct surveys to assess the disease transmission status in endemic districts after ten years since the last TAS in 2011-2013. Due to the resource constraints it will be conducted at district level. Kurunegala district, which showed low transmission and low number of asymptomatic patients according to the results of routine entomological an |
| Objectives | 1. To assess level of transmission through mosquito indicators; infected rate, infective rate, pool positivity rate 2. To assess the prevalence of antigenaemia in high-risk localities in Kurunegala district 3. To assess the prevalence of circulating filarial antibodies in the high-risk localities in Kurunegala district 4. To assess the microfilariaemia among patients become positive for antigen/ antibodies in Kurunegala district 5. To determine transmission status compared to secondary past data collected by the national programme and with previous research findings |
| Study Methods | The survey will be conducted in three phases. First, mosquito survey will be carried out to identify localities with transmission potential through mosquitoes. Secondly, human survey will be carried out in the community around localities with positive mosquito results using antigen testing and antibody testing. Thirdly, night blood film survey will be carried out in all antigen and antibody positive individuals. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | Following the results of the survey we would be able to determine whether there’s ongoing transmission within Kurunegala district or not. If the survey results prove that there’s no ongoing transmission, Kurunegala district can be excluded from the list of endemic areas for lymphatic filariasis. Human and other resources can be re-structured and re-distributed for other disease control programmes. |
| Keywords | Transmission /assement /filaria |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 01-May-2023 |
| End Date | 30-Sep-2023 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Anti-Filaria campaign |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | No |
| Sri Lanka | |
| Research Domain(s) | Communicable Disease Research |
| Research field(s) | Infectious Disease |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Intervention Evaluation Research | |
| Data Collection | Primary and secondary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | Final decision available |