Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation To Support Global Effort To Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis

WASHINGTON -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is giving $20 million to accelerate the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF). Also known as Elephantiasis, LF is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease caused by a parasitic worm that resides in the lymphatic system of humans. It is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. The grant will support the efforts of the Global Alliance for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, a coalition of public and private sector partners that is seeking to solve one of the world's major health problems.

The debilitating effects of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), a disease usually acquired in childhood, have major social and economic impacts. LF is a significant cause of poverty in over 80 endemic countries. Globally, the infection has been recognized as a leading cause of permanent and long-term disability, with the deforming, mutilating disease of the limbs and genitals resulting not only in physical suffering but also in serious psychosocial problems. Of the 120 million people infected, one-third live in India, one-third in Africa and the remainder live in South Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. An additional 1.2 billion people are believed to be at risk of infection.

The past decade has seen scientific advances so dramatic that LF elimination has been transformed from distant dream to feasible reality. The Global Alliance was formed in 1997. Its efforts have been aided, in part, by two generous drug donations. In 1998, SmithKline Beecham -- now GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) -- agreed to donate its drug albendazole free-of-charge until the disease is eliminated. This is likely to be a donation of between 4-6 billion tablets over a 20-year period. Merck & Co., Inc. also pledged to expand its Mectizan Donation Program for Onchocerciasis in all areas of Africa where the two diseases co-exist.

The grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will support activities during the first five years of the 20-year global program to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis. Grant funds will allow national elimination programs, already underway in 33 of the 80 endemic countries, to begin in many additional countries. A rapid but responsible acceleration of national programs will provide the early successes needed to enable all partners, including endemic countries, to 'learn by doing' and to expand their efforts until the whole population at risk is reached. Elimination activities will include mass-distribution of drugs, fortified salt, health education, alleviation of suffering, training, and operations research in endemic countries.

The $20 million grant will be channeled through a World Bank Trust Fund established to support this comprehensive campaign. The designated recipients are:

As Dr. Bernhard Liese, Senior Advisor, Human Development, Africa Region, who manages the grant in the World Bank, states, "The foundation's generous grant is critical in making the program a reality. It provides the financial support that is crucial during the formative stage of a global program. With its help, the Global Alliance has acquired the momentum to eliminate the disease and return dignity, respect and health to millions of people."