03154nas a2200385   4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653002500086653002900111653001700140653001500157653001600172653001700188653001200205653002300217100002200240700001300262700001400275700001500289700001300304700001300317700001500330700001500345700001900360700001500379700001600394700001200410700001400422245020000436856006500636300000900701490000700710520203700717022001402754       2025                            d  bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aLymphatic filariasis10aMass drug administration10aTransmission10aAssessment10aElimination10aSurveillance10aNigeria10aSub-Saharan Africa1 aAmanyi-Enegela JA1 aKumbur J1 aOkunade F1 aAshikeni D1 aIshaya R1 aSankar G1 aAdamani WE1 aAderogba M1 aMakau-Barasa L1 aEmmanuel A1 aOgundipe BE1 aOkoye C1 aQureshi B00aEvaluating the effectiveness of mass drug administration on lymphatic filariasis transmission and assessment of post-mass drug administration surveillance in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory  uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40249-025-01333-5  a1-100 v143 a<p><strong>Background</strong> Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory&nbsp;(FCT) launched annual mass drug administration (MDA) in its four lymphatic filariasis (LF)-endemic councils in 2011, achieving sustained high coverage and pre-transmission assessment survey success. This study aimed to confirm transmission interruption in Bwari and Gwagwalada and to evaluate post-MDA surveillance efficacy in Abaji and Kuje.</p>

<p><strong>Methods</strong> Transmission Assessment Surveys (TAS) were systematically conducted in four distinct evaluation units (EUs) within the FCT. TAS&nbsp;1 was carried out in Bwari and Gwagwalada EUs that had recently achieved pre-TAS thresholds indicating potential interruption of transmission, whereas TAS&nbsp;2 was conducted in Abaji and Kuje EUs, where MDA had been discontinued since 2021 following successful TAS&nbsp;1 evaluations. Abbott Filarial Test Strips (FTS) were employed to test children aged 6–7&nbsp;years attending selected schools. Data collection adhered to standardized WHO guidelines, utilizing both paper-based and electronic data-capture tools to enhance accuracy and reduce human error.</p>

<p><strong>Results</strong> A total of 6,448 children participated in surveys across the four EUs, with gender distribution closely balanced (53% male, 47% female). In TAS&nbsp;1 (Bwari and Gwagwalada), no LF-positive cases were identified well below the WHO-defined critical cutoff of 18 cases. In TAS&nbsp;2 (Abaji and Kuje), a single LF-positive case was detected in Abaji, still below the critical threshold. Participant refusal rates were minimal, reflecting strong community support and engagement.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions</strong> The findings provide compelling evidence of significant progress toward LF elimination in Nigeria’s FCT; however, the single positive case in Abaji underscores the continued importance of vigilant surveillance and integrated vector-management strategies to maintain elimination status and guard against residual transmission.</p>
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