Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The prayer service to officially open the Second Round of Mass Distribution Administration (MDA) for the lymphatic filariasis pills (Mumu Tutupa) was held at the Nuuuli Methodist Church this past Sunday, led by Rev. Sailiai Tumaai, and dedicated in memory of Ina Ioapo, the local lymphatic filariasis champion whose sister Penelope Seuava read the Proclamation.

According to the local Department of Health, since last year, American Samoa has decreased its percentage of individuals carrying the filarial worms from about 5% to 2.3% — all because more than 30,000 individuals took their Filariasis pills last year.

This 2.3% will continue to carry filarial worms and re-infect others if we don’t all drink together, according to DOH. In order to have the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declare American Samoa Filariasis free, everyone needs to drink the pills — again — this year.

All eligible individuals include those who are 2 years old and older, not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and not severely ill. The pills will be administered for school children from now until  October 14th (three weeks). For the rest of the population, the pills will be offered until November 1st.

Parents and guardians are urged to carefully read and sign the consent forms for their children to drink their pills. DOH teams will also be out and about in the villages, churches, etc.

The theme for this year’s event is “Protecting our Future Generation from Lymphatic Filariasis” (“Puipui le Tupulaga O Le Lumana’i Mai Le Mumu Tutupa).”

According to the program that was distributed during Sunday’s church service, the American Samoa Dept. of Health, in partnership with the CDC, WHO, and Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) “met and agreed on the need for immediate action in combating and eliminating the Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) disease within our territory.

“Therefore, a unified commitment was made to provide a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) to all eligible individuals of our beloved island.”

Free LF pills will be distributed by DOH teams led by the Dept. of Health at schools, churches, government and private sector worksites, community health centers, and during village outreach.

“Together, we aim to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis from American Samoa, to Prevent, Protect, and Promote the health of our communities.”

LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS (MUMU TUTUPA)

It is a parasitic disease that is disfiguring and disabling, and prevents people from doing everything things like chores and going to work or school. It is caused by worms that are spread between people by mosquitoes. The infection can cause swelling of the arms, legs, and other body parts, and the effects - like elephantiasis - may not show up until way after a person is infected.

According to DOH, recent surveys this year show that there is still ongoing active transmission of the filarial worms in American Samoa. The goal of the MDA is to stop LF and also treat other conditions such as intestinal worms and scabies.