Follow-up investigations on clinical manifestations after filariasis eradication by diethylcarbamazine medicated common salt on Kinmen (Quemoy) Islands, Republic of China.

From May to December 1993, a house-by-house survey was conducted on the changes in clinical manifestations of filariasis among 814 pre-control mf carriers in 88 villages of five towns/districts on Kinmen Islands. Four hundred and sixteen (51%) pre-control mf carriers were examined physically with history taking. The rates of disappearance, improvement, no change, aggravation, and new occurrence were 72% (229), 6% (26), 14% (59), 6% (24) and 2% (8), respectively. The rates of disappearance and improvement were higher for the acute than for the chronic manifestations. However, these rates were also high for hydrocele and chyluria. These findings indicate that the acute manifestations disappear or greatly improve after filariasis eradication by a low dose of DEC medicated salt for a period of 6 months. However, the chronic ones remain unchanged or even aggravated to become one of the more important public health problems.