Work

Toward the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in the Democratic Republic of Congo: progress, perspectives, and strategic directions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has achieved important milestones in its national effort to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF), a disfiguring neglected tropical disease (NTD) that historically threatened more than 53 million people. Despite persistent challenges related to financing, infrastructure, and geography, the national program has reached 100% geographic coverage of endemic implementation units (IUs) and has successfully transitioned nearly 40% of targeted populations out of mass drug administration (MDA) for LF. This Perspective article highlights this promising progress in the DRC by tracing the trajectory of LF control in the DRC—from early mapping and pilot efforts to nationwide scale-up—and discusses the critical elements enabling this progress, including community engagement, diagnostic innovation, integrated delivery platforms, and strategic partnerships. The article also highlights the urgent need for sustained investment in light of recent global health funding cuts, which risk reversing decades of progress. Finally, it explores the path forward toward achieving WHO’s 2030 elimination goal, stressing the importance of data-driven approaches and post-treatment surveillance.

Source: Frontiers in Tropical Diseases

DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2025.1605161

Authors: Sylvain Mupoyi, Jean Kalle Kalenga, Kelly Zongo, Martha Mberu, Naomi Pitchouna Awaca Uvon

Language: English

Topic: Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Partnerships for the goals, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,353

Funders: World Health Organization, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office