Pune health authorities start ‘night blood tests’ to catch filariasis cases

Pune: A blood test after dark could help Pune detect a largely silent infection before it causes lasting disability. PMC has launched a two-month night blood survey to detect lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, among construction workers and migrant workers in the city. The exercise, jointly conducted by the municipal body and the state health department, will focus on construction sites where workers also have lodgings, officials said.Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection caused primarily by Wuchereria bancrofti (a type of roundworm), which is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito. While many infected people may not show immediate symptoms, long-term infection can lead to disabling swelling of the limbs, genitals or breasts, severe pain and recurrent bacterial infections. Filariasis is not contagious.Dr Rajesh Dighe, PMC assistant health officer leading the campaign said the workers are a high-risk population. “Our campaign started on Oct 14 and will go on for two months. Blood samples are being collected between 9pm and midnight, when the microscopic parasites that cause the disease are most likely to be detected in a person’s bloodstream,” he said, adding that all PMC ward offices have been told to deploy six staffers for sample collection.Health officials said the survey is important, given Pune’s large migrant workforce. Filariasis is not endemic in Pune, but the city has workers coming in from states where the disease is prevalent. Since infected mosquitoes can spread filariasis locally, early detection is key, Dr Dighe said.Guidelines issued by the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control recommend night blood surveys or filarial antigen tests to determine whether transmission is continuing in such areas. Civic authorities have also urged construction-site managers and contractors to cooperate with the health teams and encourage participation among the workers in the voluntary screenings. Residents have also been advised to prevent water accumulation around homes and worksites, use mosquito nets or repellents at night, and report persistent swelling of limbs to the nearest civic health facility.