Abstract

From 1993 to 2007 mass drug administration (MDA) was re-implemented in French Polynesia due to the re-emergence of this ancient endemic fever after 10 years of active MDA interruption (1982-1992). Despite the implementation in 2000 of a regional programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (PacELF), based on an MDA combining diethylcarbamazine and albendazole, the filarial endemic remains above the elimination threshold as defined by the PacELF standard. Although effective strategy has failed to achieve a quick and sustained reduction of filarial prevalence even after the extension of the programme beyond the recommended 5 years of MDA. The aim of this presentation is to summarize different important data of the PacELF programme in French Polynesia and the problems encountered in this epidemiological island setting.