Lymphatic Filariasis in the Americas

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a disabling parasitic disease caused by worms that are spread from person-to-person by the bite of infected mosquitoes. More than 120 million persons are infected with LF, a disease that can be eliminated. CDC and its partners provide assistance to Ministries of Health to protect people from LF through community mobilization, distribution of effective drugs, and program monitoring and evaluation, with a goal of eliminating LF from the Americas.

With additional effort and support for evidence-based, cost-effective strategies that we can implement now, we can eliminate LF from the Americas. The information below provides a snapshot of the context and background for this priority area.

For more information on this topic, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lymphaticfilariasis/. If you have questions about the materials provided here, please contact adprogram@cdc.gov.

Lymphatic Filariasis Briefing Materials:

• Introduction letter from CDC Director Dr. Thomas R. Frieden
• PowerPoint slides, which can be tailored for your use by adding specific data, case studies and other useful information
• At-a-glance, which provides an overview of the major issues, CDC’s role in eliminating LF in the Americas, and future directions and opportunities
• Supplemental materials include:
  • CDC’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Program Fact Sheet
  • Lymphatic Filariasis Policy Brief