Studies on the prevalence of Malayan filariasis in South Thailand
Guptavanij, P.; Harinasuta, C.; Surathin, K.; Vutikes, S.; Deesin, T.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 8(1): 42-52
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 887995 Document Number: 120304
Studies on Malayan filariasis were made in 1970-1971 in 4 provinces of the eastern coast of the peninsula of South Thailand, i.e., in Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala provinces. About 1.0-2.0% of the people in each province were examined for Brugia malavi microfilariae in their blood and for elephantiasis symptoms. Pattani and Narathiwat were endemic areas of Malayan filariasis. Songkhla had a very low endemicity. Yala was a non-endemic area for this infection. In Pattani the microfilaria positive rate was 1.6% and the elephantiasis rate was 1.0%. In Narathiwat the microfilaria positive rate was 2.8% and the elephantiasis rate was 1.2%. Studies were also made in 6 provinces of the western coast of the peninsula, i.e., in Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces. These provinces were not endemic areas of Malayan filariasis. Some cases of elephantiasis of the legs were found, but those were in immigrants moving in from the eastern coast endemic areas of Malayan filariasis. The endemic areas of malayan filariasis in South Thailand were located in 6 provinces of the eastern coast of the peninsula. The infection had its endemic character by localizing in particular cantons in the rural provincial areas.