KATHMANDU, JANUARY 30 More than 400,000 people in Sarlahi district will be administered preventive medication against elephantiasis following a rise in lymphatic filariasis infections in the area. The District Health Office, Sarlahi, plans to distribute anti-elephantiasis drugs to 430,941 people, around 80 per cent of the population, across 12 local levels identified as affected. The campaign was launched after tests conducted last October by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Teku, in coordination with the World Health Organization, detected the spread of infection in several areas. Of 300 samples collected from Balara, Chakraghatta and Brahmapuri, 28 cases were confirmed. The affected local levels include Balara Municipality, Ramnagar, Dhanakaul, Basabariya, Chakraghatta, Bishnu, Koudena, Brahmapuri and Parsa rural municipalities, as well as Godaita, Malangawa and Haripurwa municipalities. Dr Sashi Badel of the Division said elephantiasis, though potentially debilitating, is preventable if medication is taken regularly and on time. (With inputs from RSS)