(Bandar Seri Begawan, 19th) The Ministry of Health will collaborate with the Ministry of Education to conduct the second round of the Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS-2).
This initiative is part of Brunei's ongoing national lymphatic filariasis elimination program.
The implementation of TAS-2 follows the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and serves as a follow-up to the first round of the survey completed in 2016.
TAS-2 will commence today in selected schools nationwide.
Brunei's national lymphatic filariasis elimination program aims to support the global commitment to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem.
A key component of this effort is the implementation of mass drug administration (MDA) programs in areas where the disease is prevalent.
Lymphatic filariasis, locally known as Untut, is a mosquito-borne disease caused by filarial worms. If left untreated, the disease may lead to complications such as lymphedema (limb swelling) and hydrocele (scrotal swelling) and can result in severe disability and permanent functional loss.
These consequences can severely impact the physical and mental health of affected individuals.
TAS is a proven method for determining whether lymphatic filariasis (LF) transmission has been successfully interrupted. TAS-2 will involve first and second-grade students, who will have small blood samples taken and tested using the Brugia Rapid Test Kit.
These age groups have been specifically selected because they were born after the last round of Maternal and Child Health (MDA). If the previous round of Maternal and Child Health (MDA) was successful, they should not be infected.
Detecting any positive cases within this age group would indicate that disease transmission may still be occurring within the community.
Schools and students will be randomly selected based on WHO-recommended statistical methods.
TAS is quick and safe and will be conducted by trained and experienced healthcare professionals. The survey will collect fingertip blood samples, similar to a blood glucose test.
The test results will be available within 20 to 30 minutes.
The Ministry of Health calls on parents, guardians, and the public to fully cooperate to ensure the successful implementation of the survey and program.
With the collective support of all parties involved, Brunei is getting closer to being recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an LF-free country, which is a milestone achievement in our public health progress.
This initiative is part of Brunei's ongoing national lymphatic filariasis elimination program.
The implementation of TAS-2 follows the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and serves as a follow-up to the first round of the survey completed in 2016.
TAS-2 will commence today in selected schools nationwide.
Brunei's national lymphatic filariasis elimination program aims to support the global commitment to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem.
A key component of this effort is the implementation of mass drug administration (MDA) programs in areas where the disease is prevalent.
Lymphatic filariasis, locally known as Untut, is a mosquito-borne disease caused by filarial worms. If left untreated, the disease may lead to complications such as lymphedema (limb swelling) and hydrocele (scrotal swelling) and can result in severe disability and permanent functional loss.
These consequences can severely impact the physical and mental health of affected individuals.
TAS is a proven method for determining whether lymphatic filariasis (LF) transmission has been successfully interrupted. TAS-2 will involve first and second-grade students, who will have small blood samples taken and tested using the Brugia Rapid Test Kit.
These age groups have been specifically selected because they were born after the last round of Maternal and Child Health (MDA). If the previous round of Maternal and Child Health (MDA) was successful, they should not be infected.
Detecting any positive cases within this age group would indicate that disease transmission may still be occurring within the community.
Schools and students will be randomly selected based on WHO-recommended statistical methods.
TAS is quick and safe and will be conducted by trained and experienced healthcare professionals. The survey will collect fingertip blood samples, similar to a blood glucose test.
The test results will be available within 20 to 30 minutes.
The Ministry of Health calls on parents, guardians, and the public to fully cooperate to ensure the successful implementation of the survey and program.
With the collective support of all parties involved, Brunei is getting closer to being recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an LF-free country, which is a milestone achievement in our public health progress.