17 Oct 2016

Niue, Cooks and Vanuatu get rid of filariasis

4:32 pm on 17 October 2016

Three Pacific countries last week got a pat on the back from the World Health Organisation for eliminating filariasis.

Vanuatu, Niue and the Cook Islands, along with Cambodia, were recognised at a WHO meeting of regional health ministers in Manila.

Filariasis, which is also known as elephantiasis, or in Bislama as 'Big Leg', is an infectious tropical disease caused by round worms and spread by mosquitoes.

To eliminate it regular drug applications are needed.

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Photo: AFP

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