Enhancing onchocerciasis elimination program management: A biological approach to deciding when to begin Stop Mass Drug Administration activities

We describe here a practical approach that is based on information on both transmission as well as infection. This new protocol first defines operational transmission zones (OTZs) based on vector breeding sites followed by an epidemiological assessment of the resident populations adjacent to these breeding sites. Basing decisions to stop MDA treatment based on breeding site locations (i.e., transmission zones) rather than on political administrative units, is a practical, cost-effective approach. Importantly, this biology-based approach is more closely related to the actual state of onchocerciasis transmission.
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research