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    Publication

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

    Journal: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

    Summary

    Alternative intervention strategies (AIS) 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 prevalence despite more than 20 years of annual IVM distribution.

    The article describes three AIS: testing individuals for onchocerciasis and treating positive individuals with doxycycline, biannual mass drug administration with ivermectin, and ground larviciding of blackfly breeding sites. Together these AIS significantly reduced the prevalence of infection from 35.7% to 12.3%. The authors conclude that AIS are practical and useful and should be considered in areas where IVM has not successfully stopped the spread of onchocerciasis.

    Read the journal article

    Related tags

    Cameroon
    Onchocerciasis
    Publication details
    Date published
    21 December 2022
    Type
    Original research
    Journal
    PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
    Countries
    Cameroon
    Themes/conditions
    Onchocerciasis
    Publication details
    Date published
    21 December 2022
    Type
    Original research
    Journal
    PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
    Countries
    Cameroon
    Themes/conditions
    Onchocerciasis

    Related publications

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    Ivermectin and doxycycline treatments against onchocerciasis: adaptations and impact among semi-nomadic population in Massangam health district, Cameroon

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