Jashpurnagar : The Government of India is running a massive mass drug administration campaign in the endemic districts of the country with the aim of eliminating filariasis (elephantiasis) by 2027.

In this connection, under the leadership of Chief Medical and Health Officer and District Programme Manager, on 10 February 2026, the mass drug administration programme under the National Filaria Eradication Programme was launched at the district level in Saraswati Shishu Mandir Higher Secondary School, Jashpur and all the development blocks.

A campaign is being run considering the total population of 990800 of Jashpur district as the target population for mass drug administration. In which, in the first phase, from February 10 to February 12, 2026, the Health Department will administer the medicine through a total of 3143 booths in all the development blocks of Jashpur district. And from February 13 to February 25, 2026, the Health Department team and Asha workers will go door to door and administer free anti-filariasis medicines like tablets- DEC, Albendazole and Ivermectin to all people above 2 years of age, based on their age and height (except pregnant women and serious patients).

Regarding filariasis, the department said that filariasis is an infectious disease caused by mosquitoes in dirty water, which is commonly known as elephantiasis. Its symptoms are usually not visible, and if the infection occurs over a long period, symptoms like fever, pain and swelling in hands and feet, and pain and swelling in or around the genitals of men appear. On taking medicine for filariasis, generally, minor reactions like headache, fever, vomiting and rashes on the body may occur as a reaction to the parasites. There is no need to panic about this. But if the symptoms become serious, one should immediately consult a doctor and get proper advice and treatment.

A single case of filariasis (elephantiasis) can cause lifelong problems. The only treatment for this condition is to take MDA (Medical Diagnosis) medication, which has no side effects. Filariasis is prevalent in all the development blocks of our district, spread by mosquitoes and can be prevented. Everyone is requested to take the filariasis medication from the Mitanin in their village.