Western Pacific

World Health Organisation Regional Office for Western Pacific

A total of 11.6 million people in 9 countries and territories were living in areas that required MDA.

Four countries led GPELF in adopting IDA for MDA. Philippines, the largest remaining endemic country in the Region, had stopped MDA in 39 IUs by 2018 and implemented MDA in all 7 IUs where it was still required; 4 of the 7 remaining IUs passed TAS1 and no longer require MDA.

The largest population in the Region yet to receive MDA remains in PNG. Despite significant programme obstacles, PNG carried out MDA in 2 targeted IUs, including mop-up activities to maximize coverage.

American Samoa (USA) and Samoa followed through with commitments and restarted MDA. Fiji, French Polynesia (France) and Samoa achieved effective coverage in all IUs that required MDA.

Tuvalu did not implement MDA as planned after failing a TAS in 2017.

The Federated States of Micronesia awaited results of impact surveys to determine whether MDA was warranted in the remaining endemic islands.

Surveys in New Caledonia (France) identified infected adults and children, indicating ongoing transmission in the islands, and the health authorities have considered planning MDA in 2019. The total population that requires MDA in the Region has decreased by 42.2 million people.

The treatment regime in all SEARO endemic countries is albendazole plus DEC (diethylcarbamazine).

More information on the WPRO LF elimation programme can be found here and here

The Western Pacific Regional Programme Review Group (RPRG), the body which reviews national programmes, applications for drug donations, provides technical guidance and identifies operational research issues is chaired by:

Xiao-Nong Zhou 
Director 
National Institute of Parasitic Diseases
Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai 200025
People's Republic of China
zhouxn1 [at] chinacdc [dot] cn

See WHO Weekly Epidemiological Report for the full detailed report