Prevent Gajah's Foot, 1,010 Residents Of Mount Mas Central Kalimantan Will Be Taken With A Sample

Illustration of people with elephant legs or filariasis transmitted through mosquitoes. (Between)

CENTRAL KALIMANTAN - A total of 1,010 blood samples from residents of Gunung Mas Regency in Central Kalimantan Province (Kalteng) were examined to detect the disease of filariasis or elephant legs early.

Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Gunung Mas Regency Health Service (Dinkes), Nia Ernawati, said that the investigation carried out by her party supports the declaration of the elephant's foot elimination program which began in Gunung Mas since early October 2016.

"The sampling and blood tests have also been completed 100 percent," he said in Kuala Kurun, Central Kalimantan, Monday, February 6, as reported by Antara.

Nia also appreciated the active role of residents in supporting this program, especially 1,010 residents are willing to take blood samples spread across 12 sub-districts in Gunung Mas.

In order to eliminate the elephant's feet, residents of Gunung Mas are required to take medicine to prevent disease caused by mosquito bites once a year, for five consecutive years.

So this year, to ensure that the local area is free from elephant leg disease, the Ministry of Health conducted a Brugia Impact Survey (BIS) with 1,010 blood samples in this stage.

In its implementation, blood sampling is carried out from 22.00-02.00 WIB. Residents who are samples support this activity so that the target for blood sampling can be achieved.

During the implementation, the health team was also accompanied by the TNI/Polri. TNI/Polri personnel also assisted the health team while taking blood samples from residents.

"The sample will then be examined by a special team, and the results will come out in about a month," said Nia.

Residents of Kuala Kurun, Desi, claimed to be one of 1,010 residents of Gunung Mas whose blood samples were taken, in the context of requirements for eliminating filariasis or elephant leg disease.

Before the blood sample was taken, I was contacted by officers. They reported that they would come to take blood samples at 23.00 WIB. Hopefully the results are good," he said.