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Nigeria, Egypt and Samoa are the first countries to initiate a WHO programme
to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Another dozen nations will join over the
coming year. Around one billion people in developing countries are at risk of
infection, which leads to elephantiasis—massive swelling of limbs, breasts
or genitals.

Merck and SmithKline Beecham—soon to merge with Glaxo
Wellcome—are donating drugs to break the chain of transmission. Mosquitoes
spread the disease, which is caused by a filarial worm infecting the lymphatic
system.