[Effectiveness of mass chemotherapy campaigns with diethylcarbamazine on blood microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti in Mayotte].

An evaluation of the microfilarial index has been carried out in a randomised population, during April and May 1986, to determine the efficacy of long course mass chemotherapy. A single dose of DEC at 6 mg/kg was distributed to the whole population of the island, every 4 months, in 1985 and 1986. The survey was done three months after the treatment. 1,307 thick blood films have been collected in night-time. The prevalence of microfilaremia was 1.9% as compared with 17.1% in 1981 in the conditions. The control measures were considered as quite satisfactory, and it was decided to continue mass chemotherapy together with vector control.