The disease spreads when a mosquito transfers a worm parasite through mosquito bite.[2] In various regions the species of worm and mosquito can vary.[2] The prevention and treatment plans differ according to whatever is effective against the species in a given region.[2]
The creation of maps and planning of local monitoring systems has been an essential part of all regional eradication plans.[3]
By region
In the 1970s there was an eradication experiment in French Polynesia.[4] Samoa and Fiji did experiments in the early 1990s.[4] These practical experiments in eradication became models for LF eradication for the rest of the world to use.[4]
A 2018 update for Madagascar reported that many people still tested positive for parasite.[5]
China participated in the program and became LF free in 2007.[6] Prior to that, the disease had been in China since ancient times.[6] In the 1980s China had 30 million people with the disease.[6]
As of 2016 various countries in South East Asia were at different phases in their national elimination programs.[7] Bangladesh, Thailand, Maldives, and Sri Lanka all ended their mass drug administration programs due to success in elimination. India, Indonesia, East Timor, Nepal, and Myanmar are actively doing mass drug administration (MDA).[7]
Thailand took a baseline survey of LF in 2001.[8] From 2002 to 2011 the country did MDA.[8] In September 2017, the World Health Organization declared Thailand to be free of LF.[8]
Tonga did MDA from 2001 to 2006. The World Health Organization declared the country free of LF in 2017.[9]