As a nurse and emerging heath researcher with the Atoifi Health Research Group, Eileen Otuana learnt more about lymphatic filariasis (LF) during a 2013 survey for LF survey in East Kwaio (Harrington et al 2013). LF is caused by a parasitic worm that is transmitted between people by mosquitoes. Solomon Islands was declared free from LF in 2011 but with such scattered and remote villages there is concern there may still be parasites present in some isolated villages. Eileen thought of family and friends in her homeland of Shortland Islands in Western Province, adjacent to the Papua New Guinea (PNG) boarder. When Eileen was growing up, many of her relatives had elephantiasis, an end-stage symptom of LF. A few years ago one of her uncles developed elephantiasis, and many people were experiencing unexplained fevers. She was concerned that the parasite may still be circulating in the community. Eileen discussed this with her father, Chief Bernard Otuana and the Atoifi Health Research Group were invited to investigate if the LF parasite was still present in the Shortland Islands.
In January 2015, a team of researchers of Humpress Harrington, Eileen Otuana, Professor Rick Speare and Dr David MacLaren travelled to the Shortland Islands to investigate LF transmission. LF is still a problem in neighboring Bougainville in PNG (Graves et al 2013), and many people travel back and forth from Bougainville. Testing for LF in Shortland Islands is therefore very important. Funded by a grant from the College of Medicine and Dentistry at James Cook University, the team partnered with leaders in 3 villages on the island of Fauro (all have had residents with elephantiasis) to conduct information sessions and tests. There were strong beliefs about elephantiasis and sorcery, and villagers were appreciative of the information that elephantiasis can be caused by a parasite. The team found no evidence of current transmission of LF however further tests are now being conducted at James Cook University to confirm these initial results.
The team would like to thank Chief Bernard Otuana the communities of Samanagho, Toumua and Kariki for their support and hospitality during this recent research activity. For more information, please email: Mr Humpress Harrington, Atoifi Hospital humpress.harrington@gmail.com
Photo: Rick Speare, Humpress Harrington, Eileen Otuana and David MacLaren leaving Toumua village in Outer Shortland Islands
LF References:
Harrington, H., J. Asugeni, C. Jimuru, J. Gwalaa, E. Ribeyro, R. Bradbury, H. Joseph, W. Melrose, D. MacLaren and R. Speare (2013). A practical strategy for responding to a case of lymphatic filariasis post-elimination in Pacific Islands. Parasites & Vectors 6(1): 218. http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/6/1/218
Graves PM, Makita L, Susapu M, Brady MA, Melrose W, Capuano C, Zhang Z, Dapeng L, Ozaki M, Reeve D, Ichimori K, Kazadi WM, Michna F, Bockarie MJ, Kelly-Hope LA (2013). Lymphatic filariasis in Papua New Guinea: distribution at district level and impact of mass drug administration, 1980 to 2011. Parasitises & Vectors 6 (1):7. http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/6/1/7
