Lymphatic filariasis elimination: 'The Government of Vietnam really deserve congratulations'

A mosquito-borne parasitic disease, lymphatic filariasis is one of nearly two dozen neglected tropical diseases. Infection is usually acquired in childhood and causes hidden damage to the lymphatic system. The painful and profoundly disfiguring visible manifestations of the disease, notably lymphoedema, elephantiasis and scrotal swelling, occur later in life and lead to permanent disability. In some exciting news out of Vietnam and the islands of Palau and Wallis and Futuna, the World Health Organization announced they had eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. Joining me today to talk about lymphatic filariasis and the success in Vietnam is Senior Manager, Neglected Tropical Diseases at RTI International, Molly Brady, MPH.