Evaluating the impact of alternative intervention strategies in accelerating onchocerciasis elimination in an area of persistent transmission in the West Region of Cameroon

by Kareen Atekem, Ruth Dixon, Aude Wilhelm, Benjamin Biholong, Joseph Oye, Hugues Nana Djeunga, Philippe Nwane, Franklin Ayisi, Daniel Boakye, Joseph Kamgno, Elena Schmidt, Rogers Nditanchou, Laura Senyonjo BackgroundAlternative strategies are recommended to accelerate onchocerciasis elimination in problematic areas including areas where annual ivermectin (IVM) distributions are unable to interrupt transmission. The aim of this study was to accelerate progress towards elimination in the Massangam health district, West Region of Cameroon where impact evaluations demonstrated ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis infection and high microfilaria (mf) prevalence despite more than 20 years of annual IVM distribution. Methodology/Principal findingsParasitological, entomological, and breeding site surveys were conducted in 2015 delineating a focus of high transmission and identified three communities with high mf prevalence. Individuals in these communities were screened for mf yearly for a period of two years and those positive treated each year with doxycycline 100mg daily for five weeks. In addition, surrounding communities were given biannual IVM. Temephos-based applications were performed once a week for 10 consecutive weeks onSimulium damnosum s.l. breeding sites. Parasitological and entomological assessments were conducted after two years of implementation and findings compared with 2015 baseline. Alternative strategies accelerated progress towards elimination through a sign...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research