The prevalence of filaria has declined in East Godavari district as health authorities have intensified a drive to contain it. Its prevalence was recorded at 2.8 per cent in 1995 and it came down to 0.27 in 2006. Health authorities collected 19,640 blood smears from January 1 to April 30 in 2008 and found 26 micro-filaria positive cases coming up to 0.13 per cent and 36 filaria diseases which come up to 0.18 per cent. More filaria cases were noticed in Amalapuram and Rama-chandrapuram municipalities and some cases from Biccavole and other areas in the district. Poor maintenance of sanitation and stagnant drains are said to be the main reasons for the spread of filaria. The drains with clogged water serve as a perfect breeding ground for the culex mosquito which harbours the parasite which causes the disease. A person who is bitten by the culex mosquito and tests micro filaria positive, develops swelling on his/her legs, resulting in elephantiasis, swelling in the scrotum, enlargement of breasts and fever. The filaria wing of the district health administration has set up seven filaria units at Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Amalapuram, Mandapeta, Ramachandrapuram, Peddapuram and Pitapuram. There are no units at Tuni and Samalkota. Health personnel in these filaria units open night clinics and collect blood smears from suspected cases between 8 pm and 11 pm. The personnel also conduct regular awareness programmes to help people avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes by taking precautionary measures. On Filaria Day, which falls in November every year, health personnel distribute diethyl carbaminecitrate, popularly known as DEC tablets to people. Last November, health authorities distributed 1.16 crore DEC tablets to people above two years of age in the district. Pregnant women are exempt from taking the tablets.