A research grant has been awarded to Dr David MacLaren and other members of the Atoifi Health Research Group to determine if there is active Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) transmission in the Shortland Islands. There has been no comprehensive survey for LF in the Shortland Islands within living memory and thus the LF status of the Shortland Islands is unknown. Community leaders have reported signs and symptoms of LF are still present in some people in their villages. With the Islands' proximity to PNG, which has the highest rates of LF globally, these reports cannot be ignored.

This research will further strengthen the capacity of Solomon Islander researchers to investigate cases of LF, as documented in the article: Harrington H, Asugeni A, Jimuru C, Gwalaa J, Ribeyro E, Bradbury R, Joseph H, Melrose W, MacLaren D, Speare R. A practical strategy for responding to a case of lymphatic filariasis post-elimination in Pacific Islands. Parasites and Vectors 2013;6:218 http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/6/1/218

Members of the Atoifi Health Research Group thank the College of Medicine and Dentistry at James Cook University, Australia for their support of this important research.

Image: Elephantiasis of right leg of 44 year old male from Alasi, Malaita, Solomon Islands as reported by Harrington et al in 2013.