On October 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Vietnam has eliminated lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem. LF, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a parasitic disease transmitted to humans via mosquitoes. It causes fluid buildup in the lymph system, leading to severe swelling of the limbs and other body parts, which in turn results in significant social discrimination and economic instability. LF has put millions of people in Vietnam at risk for well over 50 years.

Since 2011, USAID has provided approximately $1.8 million towards its Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) program in Vietnam, which included the elimination of LF. USAID helped Vietnam conduct surveys to assess disease transmission, evaluate readiness and quality of services for persons living with LF, and gather evidence and draft the WHO dossier - a formal document used to validate elimination of a disease.

So What? This is an extraordinary achievement for Vietnam as only a handful of countries in the world with endemic LF have achieved elimination status. It represents a milestone in the Journey to Self-Reliance in the health sector.