Mass Treatment with Mectizan In Loaisis Endemic Areas

Since individuals with very high levels of infection with Loa loa, another filarial parasite, have been shown in very rare cases to have an increased risk of developing coma following treatment with Mectizan, mass treatment with Mectizan in Loa loa endemic areas requires special safety precautions. 

In areas where onchocerciasis or lymphatic filariasis is known or suspected to be co-endemic with Loa loa, specific safety and monitoring precautions must be applied before, during and after mass treatment. 

Recommendations: Onchocerciasis

Recommendations for the treatment of onchocerciasis with Mectizan in areas co-endemic for Onchocerciasis and Loiasis.

Recommendations: Lymphatic Filariasis

For lymphatic filariasis, it was recommended During the 5th session of the WHO Joint Action Forum that:

Combined treatment for lymphatic filariasis should NOT occur in areas where Loa loa is endemic until further research and monitoring has  indicated its safety.

Final Communique of the Joint Action Forum, WHO 1999

This recommendation has also been endorsed by the Mectizan Expert Committee/Albendazole Coordination and the Technical Advisory Group for the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.