| dc.description.abstract | In 2016, WHO declared Sri Lanka as a country that eliminated lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public
health problem. Influx of migrant workers from neighbouring countries which are still endemic
for LF has been reported in Sri Lanka, recently. Majority of them are employed in the industrial
sector in Gampaha district. This could be associated with increased risk spreading LF with the
possibility of introducing new strains of Wuchereria bancrofti (Wb) and may increase the
potential of re-emergence of brugian filariasis. This study reports the initial findings of an ongoing
research, conducted jointly by the FOM, KDU and Anti Filariasis Campaign, Sri Lanka, to assess
the impact of migrant workers in re-establishment of LF in the country. Migrant workers (N =
1112) who are employed in six steel factories in Gampaha district were enrolled for this
descriptive cross-sectional study. Participants’ demographic data and other information were
collected using a questionnaire. Thick Night Blood Films (NBF) of the participants were prepared
and later examined by two independent expert microscopists. A single multiplex PCR was
performed using WBR129 and BMR188 reverse primers specific for Wb and Brigia malayi
respectively on the participants who were positive for NBF. Screening of NBF identified 14
filariasis positive workers. All NBF positives were confirmed as Wb infections by PCR. All positive
workers were Indians who resided in Sri Lanka from 3 months to 5 years. Thus, the results
indicate that migrant workers could act as reservoirs for LF in the Gampaha district where the
density of vector mosquito is high. | en_US |
