Home / Health / Pune launches night patrols to fight silent elephantiasis spread
Pune launches night patrols to fight silent elephantiasis spread
27 Apr
Summary
- Pune health department deploys special night squads for surveillance.
- Lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis, has a long incubation period.
- Blood samples collected at night detect microfilariae for early diagnosis.
Special night squads will begin active surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in Pune district. Officials are concerned about the silent spread of the disease, especially among migrant populations. Although Pune is not part of the routine state surveillance network, it has reported 44 cases since January 2026.
The surveillance drive, set to commence next month, aims to detect the disease early. Lymphatic filariasis, a mosquito-borne illness, can remain asymptomatic for 5 to 15 years, during which infected individuals can transmit it. Effective detection requires collecting blood samples at night, when microfilariae are present.
Experts emphasize the importance of active surveillance in Pune due to its large migrant population and rapid urbanization. The year-round night squads will target high-risk areas to prevent local transmission and mitigate the risks of permanent disability and social stigma associated with the disease.
