In the past focus of the activities of the centre has been centered around operational research for in field of filariasis control programme with aim to strengthen and modify NFCP activities. In 1973 centre’s activities were reorganized by strengthening it with man power and material support in field of Epidemiological surveillance unit. Currently activities of the centre includes following:

1. Training of health man power i.e. Medical Officer/Biologists, Filaria Inspector/ Technicians working in NFCP & Urban Malaria Scheme.

2. Carrying out operational research & training as support to National Programme of elimination of filariasis.

3. Supervision of Yaws Eradication Programme activities in Mirzapur & Sonbhadra District of Uttar Pradesh.

4. Support to National Disease surveillance programme in district of Varanasi & Haridwar.

The land mark projects taken by this centre are as follows:

1. Standardization of DEC dosage schedule for NFCP in 1971- it was demonstrated through research in 1971 that DEC dose schedule of 6 mg/kg. body weight for 12 days was feasible for community clearance of microfilariamia.

2. Prophylactic efficacy of DEC in dosage of 500 mg. twice consecutively in a month was demonstrated at our centre.

3. Efficacy of Albendazole in high dosage as macro filaricide was also demonstrated.

4. Filaria surveys were carried out at our centre in the last 25 years in the district of Varanasi, which has indicated that entire Varanasi is endemic for filariasis with endemicity ranging from 7% to 20%.

5. It was establlished in a study that man vector contact and subsequent microfilariamia are not related to biting preference of Culex female.

6. Role of Village Health Guide in treatment of acute attack was found to be feasible in study carried out in Cholapur Block in 1985-87.

7. Baseline survey to carry out Mass Drug Distribution in Varanasi district was taken up in 1996-97.

8. In 1998 Community Directed Treatment of Lymphatic Filariasis using mass DEC distribution was implemented in two Block of Varanasi and compared with Health Services delivered approach. In both these approaches consumption was less than 50%. Reasons of low consumption were defined.

9. In 1994 a focus of endemic Plague was detected in Shivpur area of Varanasi district. Four indigenous cases were identified.

TRAINING

1. Varanasi branch of NICD is proposed to be developed as centre of excellence for management of Lymphedema as a part of programme of elimination of lymphatic filariasis. Training of resource persons will be taken up at this centre. Model washing facility is already functioning at our centre.

2. Role of advocacy and special strategy for increasing consumption of DEC for mass administration in urban areas gets priority attention as part of operational research.

3. The branch is involved in Yaws Eradication Programme & National Disease Surveillance Programme