To coordinate the SPI world travelling sankirtana party.
10 Countries Where Retirees Live Large
10 Countries Where Retirees Live Large By Jason Notte | TheStreet.com – 17 hours ago Share6 Email Print Saving & Spending » Credit card caution: 2 buyer beware stories 10 ways to save energy and money 5 telephone calls that can save lots of money Real Estate » Deciding between ARM and fixed-rate mortgages Buying first home will be more difficult First-time homebuyers: five things to remember Investing Planning » How to invest in the Hollywood Stock Exchange…
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Canada.ca
Canada.ca
+7
Common Malaria Drugs by Type:
Preventative (Prophylaxis): Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone), Doxycycline, Mefloquine.
Treatment (Acute/Severe): Artemisinin-based combinations (ACTs), Quinine, Chloroquine.
Liver Stage (Radical Cure): Primaquine.
Canada.ca
Canada.ca
+6
Disclaimer: Malaria medication must be prescribed by a doctor based on travel destination, as drug resistance varies by region.
The estimates in 2001 indicate that about 473 million people are exposed to the risk of bancroftian infection and of these about 125 million live in urban areas and about 348 million in rural areas. About 31 million people are estimated to be harbouring microfilaria (mf) and over 23 million suffer from filaria disease manifestations. State of Bihar has highest endemicity (over 17%) followed by Kerala (15.7%) and Uttar Pradesh (14.6%). Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have about 10% endemicity. Goa showed the lowest endemicity (less than 1%) followed by Lakshadweep (1.8%), Madhya Pradesh (above 3%) and Assam (about 5%). The seven states namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, where MDA pilot trials are being undertaken, contribute over 86% of mf carriers and 97% of disease cases in the country [13].
B malayi nocturnal periodic infection is prevalent in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal. The single largest tract of this infection lies along the west coast of Kerala, comprising districts of Trichur, Ernakulum, Alleppey, Kottayam, Quilon and Trivandrum, stretching over an area of 1800 square kilometer. The infection in the other six states is confined to a few villages only. Surveys undertaken recently in Kerala and a few villages in other states revealed either reduction of foci or complete elimination of the parasite as well as the vector in many villages which were known to be endemic for B malayi infection four decades back [13].
Filariasis control in India
After pilot project in Orissa from 1949 to 1954, the National Filaria Control Programme (NFCP) was launched in the country in 1955, with the objective of delimiting the problem, to undertake control measures in endemic areas and to train personnel to man the programme. The main control measures were mass DEC administration, antilarval measures in urban areas and indoor residual spray in rural areas. NFCP was assessed in 1960 which revealed the failure of mass DEC administration due to community non-cooperation and ineffectiveness of insecticidal indoor spray due to high resistance in the vector. The programme was withdrawn from rural areas while in urban areas, antilarval measures continued to be the main control method. The Assessment Committee in 1970 recommended selective mf carrier treatment with DEC at a dose of 6 mg/kg per day for 12 days as a compliment to antilarval measures, delimitation of the problem in unsurveyed districts and regionalisation of control measures in contiguous areas. The Assessment Committee in 1982 recommended extension of NFCP to rural areas through primary health care system with 100% central assistance for material & equipment, undertaking DEC medicated salt regimen in high endemic districts and control of B malayi infection.
Medicated salt regimens in India during 1968-69 showed very encouraging results in pilot trials in the Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The distribution of 0.1% DEC medicated salt to general public for one year was implemented in Lakshadweep, comprising a population of 25,000 during 1976-77 which reduced mf rate by 80% and circulating mf by about 90%. The DEC medicated salt project with 0.2% concentration was concluded at Karaikal, Pondicherry which gave 98% reduction in microfilaria.
New initiatives for the control of lymphatic filariasis in India
Revised program was launched in 1996-97 in 13 districts in seven endemic states namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where MDA was undertaken. The main strategy comprises of single day mass therapy (DEC) at a dose of 6 mg/kg body wt annually, management of acute and chronic filariasis through referral services at selective centres and information education communication (IEC) for inculcating individual/community based protective and preventive measures for filaria control. The mf carriers detected in filaria clinics to be treated with standard dose of DEC 6 mg/kg body wt. per day for 12 days.
Management of acute and chronic filariasis cases requires development of adequate referral centres and treatment of adenolymphangitis (ADL) with antibiotics since majority of acute episodes appear to be of bacterial aetiology. Rigorous local hygiene measures with or without local antibiotic and antifungal agents should be promoted to prevent ADL so as to permit the reversal of lymphoedema. Early treatment with standard 12 day therapy of mf carriers is to be adopted to prevent further lymphatic damage and renal failure.
Mass Drug Administration with DEC single dose annually (Filaria Day)
The International Task Force for disease eradication had identified lymphatic filariasis as one of the only seven infectious diseases considered eradicable or potentially eradicable. The single dose mass therapy with DEC has been found to be as effective as 12 day therapy, as a public health measure, with lesser side effects thus enhancing public compliance, decreased delivery costs [14]. It does not require complex management and infrastructure. It can be integrated into the existing primary health care system for delivery compliance. Single dose mass administration annually in combination with other techniques has already eliminated lymphatic filariasis from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Solomon Islands and markedly reduced the transmission in China [15, 16].
Major problems and challenges for disease control
Although there is now greater international momentum for lymphatic filariasis elimination, several important issues remain to be resolved, before the disease can be eliminated from India. These includes uncertainty about the required coverage and duration of annual treatment to achieve elimination and its relation to endemicity levels and vector/parasite complexes. There is an urgent need for appropriate tools, procedures and criteria for monitoring and evaluating the impact of elimination programmes. It is also becoming increasingly important to be able to predict and demonstrate the public health and socioeconomic impacts of the elimination efforts (especially for areas where interruption may not be easily/completely achieved). The available interventions have significant limitations. The current drugs require repeated annual treatment and there is a need for the development of macrofilaricidal / curative drugs. Drug resistance may become a critical issue after prolonged mass treatment with the current drugs. Therefore there is a need for early detection of resistance to drugs and replacement drugs.
The major challenge with the currently available drugs is that the interruption of transmission requires very high treatment coverage (probably > 85% of the total population) to achieve elimination [17], but current approaches to drug delivery do not achieve this (only 40-60% gets treated if mass treatment is executed by the regular health services). Hence, there is an urgent need for more effective drug delivery strategies for lymphatic filariasis elimination that are adapted to regional differences and variations in health sector development [18, 19]. A special challenge will be drug delivery in urban settings while other problems are the low priority given to a disease like lymphatic filariasis and poor compliance with DEC treatment. These problems require powerful advocacy tools and strategies.
Based on data from the National Center for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) and recent studies up to 2025, the parts of India with the lowest combined incidence of malaria and filaria are predominantly in the northern, north-western, and some hilly regions.
PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov)
PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov)
+2
Key areas with the lowest combined burden include:
North-Western States & UTs: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttarakhand are declared free of indigenous filaria transmission and generally report low or negligible malaria.
North-Eastern States: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura are free of indigenous filaria, contributing to a lower combined incidence compared to endemic regions.
Other Low-Endemic Areas: Goa maintains very low filaria endemicity (less than 1%), and some southern coastal regions, such as South Karnataka, report low, stable malaria incidence.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)
+5
Conversely, the highest combined burden is concentrated in eastern and central India, specifically Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and parts of Bihar and West Bengal.
Yes, several parts of India have low prevalence or have effectively eliminated these diseases as major public health threats. While 95% of the population lives in areas where malaria is theoretically endemic, risk varies significantly by geography and elevation.
Severe Malaria Observatory
Severe Malaria Observatory
+4
Areas with Low or No Transmission
High-Elevation Regions: There is generally no malaria transmission in areas above 2,000 metres (6,500 feet). This includes mountainous parts of:
Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand.
High-altitude areas in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
States with Lowest Filariasis Endemicity: Goa has the lowest recorded endemicity (less than 1%), followed by Lakshadweep (1.8%) and Madhya Pradesh (above 3%).
Low Malaria Incidence States: States like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat typically report much lower annual cases—often fewer than 50,000—compared to high-burden eastern states.
Urban vs. Rural: Filariasis is primarily a rural disease affecting poor socio-economic groups; many urban centers and developed pockets have seen the infection disappear.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)
+5
Progress in Elimination
Malaria Success: India has reduced malaria cases and deaths by approximately 80% between 2015 and 2023. In 2023, 122 districts across various states reported zero malaria cases.
Filariasis Elimination: Over 100 districts in India have passed the required surveys to stop Mass Drug Administration (MDA), indicating they have successfully interrupted transmission.
BMJ Open
BMJ Open
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High-Risk Areas to Avoid (Endemic Zones)
If you are looking for regions where these diseases are rampant, the following remain high-risk:
Malaria Hotspots: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and several North-eastern states (specifically Mizoram and Tripura).
Filariasis Endemic States: Bihar (highest at 17%), Kerala (15.7%), and Uttar Pradesh (14.6%).
Severe Malaria Observatory
Severe Malaria Observatory
+3
Would you like to find specific districts in a particular state that have been declared malaria-free?
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)
+4
Regions with Low Malaria Incidence
High-Altitude Areas: Areas with an elevation of over 2,000 meters (approx. 6,500 ft) are generally free from malaria transmission. This includes parts of Ladakh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
States with Low Prevalence: According to studies, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab have reported some of the lowest numbers of malaria cases.
Southern Regions: Although climatically suitable, many southern regions, such as parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, report low incidence (less than 2 Annual Parasite Incidence).
PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov)
PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov)
+2
Regions with Low Filaria Risk
Low Endemicity Areas: While 21 states/UTs are considered endemic for Lymphatic Filariasis, certain areas have very low rates. Goa has shown the lowest endemicity (less than 1%), followed by Lakshadweep (1.8%) and Madhya Pradesh (above 3%).
Controlled Urban Areas: Through active Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and anti-larval measures, certain cities and districts, such as Surat in Gujarat, have significantly reduced their microfilaria rates.
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
+3
Key Takeaways
Hotspots: The highest incidence of malaria is concentrated in tribal and forested areas of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and the North-Eastern states.
Filaria Concentration: Over 86% of microfilaria carriers and 97% of filaria cases are found in seven states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
Migrant Impact: Even in areas with low transmission, like Kerala, migrant workers from higher-endemic states can pose a risk for re-emergence.
Severe Malaria Observatory
Severe Malaria Observatory
+3
For a Canadian citizen living in India, the most efficient, fast, and inexpensive option for a "visa renewal" (which effectively means obtaining a new visa) is a Visa Run to Nepal (Kathmandu) or Sri Lanka (Colombo) combined with an Online E-Visa application.
Do not apply for a paper visa at a local embassy (e.g., in Kathmandu), as this process is notoriously slow for non-residents (2–3 weeks). Instead, exit India, apply for the Indian E-Visa online immediately, wait the ~3–4 processing days, and fly back.
Top 3 Visa Run Destinations
Nepal (Kathmandu)
Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Thailand (Bangkok)
Editor's note: Suzan Haskins is IL’s Latin America Editorial Director. She spent nearly 25 years working in corporate advertising and marketing in Omaha, Nebraska, before she finally opted for a warmer way of life. In 2001, she and her husband left the States and tried on for size Ecuador, Panama, Nicaragua, and three locations in Mexico. Today they spend part of the year in Merida, Mexico and part in Cotacachi, Ecuador.
Letter to: Mukunda
Los Angeles
8 February, 1970
London
My Dear Mukunda,
[...]
The purpose of World Sankirtana Party will be to establish a center in each and every city and village of the world. This idea is taking practical shape in various centers.
Just like you started for London Yatra and now after one year it has taken a shape, similarly in Germany also it has taken a shape, but in Paris it has not taken as yet. Therefore World Sankirtana Party means to establish a center everywhere we go.
I do not mean a concert party or musical party that may go to a city, have some performances and collect some money without any permanent effect.
For this purpose the World Sankirtana Party should consist of members who can impress spiritual ecstasy in the hearts of the people so that some of them may come forward and agree to establish a center where the Sankirtana party may go on continually.
Srila Prabhupada letter to Mukunda, Feb. 7, 1970
Hari Sauri das: We were all sitting on the stage facing Prabhupada and everybody else was on the ground facing Prabhupada, and Prabhupada was the only one that was looking out. So he left after about 20 minutes. He gave a short speech about where the Rathayatra had originated from, and then we left and went back to the temple and he left the devotees to run the rest of the festival. So when we got back to the temple, Prabhupada was a little fatigued. So he went to take rest right away, and Prabhupada asked me to massage his legs and feet. So as I started massaging him he started chuckling, and then he said, “I thought there would be some fanaticism.” And I said, “What was that, Srila Prabhupada?” Because I remember there were some Christians out there with their “eternal burn” banners and all the rest of it. Then Prabhupada said, “Did you see?” He said, “There was one man, he was shouting. He was standing on the edge of a fountain and he was heckling.” And he said, “Then one big black man came up and he knocked him into the fountain,” and Prabhupada laughed like anything.
I recall that incident! The Rathayatra was a huge success. Ed