Patterns of epidemiology and control of onchocerciasis in West Africa

This paper summarizes the work of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) in West Africa, a programme which over a 22 year history has reduced the public health problems of blinding onchocerciasis in eleven countries of West Africa through vector control and, more recently, ivermectin distribution. The paper emphasizes the different approaches to control the programme has developed in the different parts of the programme area which have been determined by the epidemiology of the disease (savanna/forest form), the migratory characteristics of the vectors, intensity of the disease before commencement of treatment, the combined impact of vector control and ivermectin and the likelihood of infiltration of infective blackflies from outside the programme area. The programme has constantly monitored the impact of operations on the trends in prevalence, incidence, annual transmission potential, ocular morbidity and species of fly populations, and as a result, has identified areas where special interventions are required until the programme comes to an end in 2002. The paper illustrates the changes in intensity of infection as measured by community microfilarial load and annual transmission potential over the duration of the programme control activities. The paper also defines and justifies the control strategies in different areas and identifies areas for special intervention

Onchocerciasis Control in West Africa

The Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) in West Africa is the largest and most successful human disease control programme currently being executed1. The OCP celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1994 and has been subject to a series of reviews since 1974. Its initial objective was to eliminate onchocerciasis as a public health problem in seven countries [Benin, Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta), Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Togo]. In 1986, the programme was extended to include Guin..

Onchocerciasis Control

The recognition of onchocerciasis as a major public health problem in the savanna belts of West Africa resulted in the establishment of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) in 1974. Control was initially based on vector control by weekly larviciding. The OCP is now in transition towards its final phase in which repeated treatment with ivermectin, a safe and effective microfilaricide, is incorporated with vector control, or in certain circumstances is used alone. Ivermectin distribution hingeing on sustainable community Systems is the basis of a new programme in endemic African countries outside the OCP and in the Americas. David Molyneux and John Davies describe the latest trends and developments related to onchocerciasis control

A comprehensive account of species composition, distribution and ecology of phlebotomine sandflies in Jordan

Extensive sampling of 18 localities representing the distinct ecological zones of Jordan was carried out during the sandfly seasons of 1986 to 1988. This resulted in the collection of 21 sandfly species, 8 of which are reported for the first time from Jordan. The newly reported species include Phlebotomus jacusieli, P. tobbi, P. perfiliewi galilaeus, P. mascitti, P. arabicus, P. halepensis, Sergentomyia palestiniensis and S. taizi The distribution, relative abundance in domestic and rural sites for all species and the epidemiological significance of Phlebotomus species as vectors of leishmaniases are discussed