PATNA, Feb. 9 -- Bihar is preparing for a massive public health exercise aimed at eliminating lymphatic filariasis, with authorities targeting nearly 8.97 crore people across 34 of the state's 38 districts during an 18-day Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign beginning Tuesday and continuing until February 28. Officials say managing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) will be critical to sustaining public confidence and ensuring high drug uptake.

The campaign seeks to administer anti-filarial medicines - Albendazole, Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), and Ivermectin - to eligible residents in a supervised manner. Health officials emphasised that keeping ADR cases to a minimum will be key to the drive's success.

"Containing adverse drug reactions he...