Rapid integrated clinical survey to determine prevalence and co-distribution patterns of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in a Loa loa co-endemic area: The Angolan experience

Parasite Epidemiology and Control
Miguel BritoLouise Kelly-Hope

Abstract

The Republic of Angola is a priority country for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination, however, the co-distribution of the filarial parasite Loa loa (loiasis) is a significant impediment, due to the risk of severe adverse events (SAEs) associated with ivermectin used in mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns. Angola has a high risk loiasis zone identified in Bengo Province where alternative interventions may need to be implemented; however, the presence and geographical overlap of the three filarial infections/diseases are not well defined. Therefore, this study conducted a rapid integrated filarial mapping survey based on readily identifiable clinical conditions of each disease in this risk zone to help determine prevalence and co-distribution patterns in a timely manner with limited resources. In total, 2007 individuals from 29 communities in five provincial municipalities were surveyed. Community prevalence estimates were determined by the rapid assessment procedure for loiasis (RAPLOA) and rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis (REMO) together with two questions on LF clinical manifestations (presence of lymphoedema, hydrocoele). Overall low levels of endemicity, with different overlapping dis...Continue Reading

Methods Mentioned

BETA
MDA
CISA

Software Mentioned

RAPLOA
ArcGIS
Excel
Caxito
REMO
SPSS
ArcInfo
CellScope
ESPEN

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