Symptoms include severe itching, bumps under the skin, and blindness. Disease control in 1974, the onchocerciasis control programme ocp in. Aug 28, 2017 the african programme for onchocerciasis control, in operation since 1995, established communitydirected treatment with ivermectin cdti. Diagnostic tools for onchocerciasis elimination programs. Considering the responsibility and involvement of the health centre. Onchocerciasis control program in west africa ocp, a major public health initiative now entering its twentyfirst year.
Onchocerciasis has been largely controlled as a public health problem. Remme intervention development and implementation research, undpworld bankwho special programme for research and training in tropical diseases, who, geneva, switzerland summary onchocerciasis control has been very successful in africa and research has played a critical role. Ocp in west africa is the largest and most successful human disease control. Its strategy is by means of administrating ivermectina. Etd assessing performance of communitydirected treatment. Progress of onchocerciasis programs in africa and the. It is transmitted through repeated bites by blackflies of the genus simulium. Apoc, african programme for onchocerciasis control. Presently, it is estimated that 37 million people carry o. The african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc was launched in 1995 with the objective of controlling onchocerciasis in the remaining endemic countries in africa and closed at the end of 2015 after beginning the transition to onchocerciasis elimination. Onchocerciasis river blindness occurs in 34 countries in africa, latin america, and the arabian peninsula figure 1.
Apoc, the carter center, the lions club and lfw see box 4. Pdf onchocerciasis control programme in west africa ocp. Our appraisal of the literature suggests that onchocerciasis poses a significant health and economic burden in cameroon. The aim of the program is to eliminate onchocerciasis also known as riverblindness as a significant public health problem throughout a major subregion of. Onchocerciasis river blindness is a major public health problem in subsaharan africa. The positive influence the onchocerciasis elimination program. Background the african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc was created in 1995 to establish communitydirected treatment with ivermectin cdti in order to control onchocerciasis as a. Ethiopia and its steps to mobilize resources to achieve. By the end of 2002, the ocp covered 11 west african countries, and had introduced large.
Onchocerciasis is a major cause of blindness in many african countries. Onchocerciasis is found in 36 countries, where an estimated 37 million people are infected, and some 500,000 suffer significant visual loss of which about onehalf are blind 1, 2. The disease is called river blindness because the blackfly that transmits the infection lives and breeds near fastflowing streams and rivers, mostly near remote rural villages. The african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc, created in 1995, has reduced the rates of river blindness by 73% since the program started. Forwardlooking in its approach, the report aims to identify measures that can accelerate control activities and increase largescale ivermectin distribution to. River blindness elimination program program reports. The programme helps the governments of 20 onchocerciasis endemic countries to develop sustainable delivery of ivermectin treatment in order to control and eliminate river blindness. The infection has caused blindness in 270 000 and left another 500 000 with severe visual impairment. The african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc was created in 1995 to establish communitydirected treatment with ivermectin cdti in order to control onchocerciasis as a public health problem in 20 african countries that had 80 % of the global disease burden. Recently, concern has been raised over the appearance of suboptimal responses to ivermectin in ghana highlighting the potential threat of the development of resistance to ivermectin. An estimated 177 million persons are infected with the parasite onchocerca volvulus, the vast majority of whom live in africa. Onchocerca volvulus photomicrograph of onchocerca volvulus in its larval form. Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is a neglected tropical disease ntd caused by the parasitic worm onchocerca volvulus.
Hypoendemic districts were not targeted as part of the control strategy. Onchocerciasis control program headquarters in ouagadougou, upper volta, because it indicates that their efforts to control the vector that spreads the disease are having some success. The establishment of sustainable national onchocerciasis control programmes in all african countries where such programmes are needed remains the key preoccupation of apoc. The epidemiological model onchosima model and computer simulation program for the transmission and control of onchocerciasis has been used to determine the range of plausible values for the.
The african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc was a very successful african based partnership organization that includes 31 ntd endemic countries and communities, development partners, ngdos, foundations and private sector for the last fifteen years. Onchocerciasis usaids neglected tropical disease program. In ghana, the onchocerciasis control program ocp began in 1974 through vector control activities before switching to mda in 1998 with the exception of the asubende focus in which vector control continued under the ocp special intervention zones. The african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc. Discovered in 1903, the disease is endemic in all provinces. There are three regional programs currently dedicated to controlling onchocerciasis in the endemic areas of africa and the americas. Find doc the onchocerciasis control programme in west. Accelerating neglected tropical disease control in. The strategy of the african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc is based on annual mass treatment with ivermectin.
When research showed that cdti may ultimately eliminate onchocerciasis infection, apoc was given in 2008 the. Ethiopia and its steps to mobilize resources to achieve 2020. The onchocerciasis control program in west africa an. The african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc has been described as one of the most successful publicprivate partnerships for health in africa. The onchocerciasis control program ocp has been operating since 1974 first in seven countries, and then in the mid1980s expanded to 11 countries. Richards and colleagues state that apoc accepts that this strategy will not stop transmission and that treatment may need to be continued. The onchocerciasis control programme in west africa ocp started operations in 1975. Control of the disease will contribute to achievement of the corresponding sustainable development goals sdgs quota. Pdf the river blindness control programmes ocp and apoc in.
In addition to maintaining surveillance in the 11 ocp countries, apoc now runs projects that cover a region including 16 african coun tries endemic for onchocerciasis, with the aim of eliminating the disease as a publichealth african programme for onchocerciasis control. The first was the onchocerciasis control programme ocp, which was launched in 1974, and at its peak, covered 30 million people in 11 countries. Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a disease that affects the skin and eyes. The african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc was.
A report on the onchocerciasis river blindness control. Major disease control programs have greatly reduced both disease and infection prevalence by mass distribution of donated ivermectin. On a global level, sustained mass drug administration of ivermectin is currently the primary strategy for control or elimination of onchocerciasis. Review of the national program for onchocerciasis control in.
This report summarises a meeting held in ghana to set the. This is a disease which is known as a parasitic disease caused by a filarial worm known as onchocerca volvulus, and is transmitted thru infected blackflies bites. About half a million people are blind or visually impaired due to the disease. Costbenefit analysis of the onchocerciasis control program. Huge progress has been made to control the disease. Ivermectin was introduced in 1987 as clinical treatment, then as mass treatment in 1989.
Both research advances and practical lessons from the field are considered. Jan 21, 2017 onchocerciasis is still a neglected tropical disease ntd in cameroon and urgently demands a need for intensification and probably modification of some strategies in the current onchocerciasis elimination program. Ladene newtoncenters for disease control and prevention cdc image number. This is the beginning of the end of onchocerciasis.
It directly retards development and aggravates poverty. Conclusion taxonomy etiology history transmission treatment prevention and current efforts works cited world health organization. Costbenefit analysis of the onchocerciasis control. Jan 31, 20 since 1995, the african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc has coordinated annual mass treatment with ivermectin in 16 countries. It is transmitted through the bites of infected blackflies simulium spp. The onchocerciasis control programme in west africa. Control ocpa onchocerciasis control program of the americas merck mectizan donation program practical strategies insect repellent etc. We carried out a medline search via pubmed to source for articles on onchocerciasis in cameroon. In 1974, the onchocerciasis control programme ocp in. In nigeria, there are currently about seven million infected peo,le, 40 million living at. National onchocerciasis control program ministry of health. Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a disease caused by infection with the parasitic worm onchocerca volvulus.
The recent publication is onchocerciasis elimination in africa feasible by 2025. The onchocerciasis control programme in west africa ocp. Onchocerciasis is most prevalent in subsaharan africa fig. African program for onchocerciasis control 19952010. Following a mapping exercise that identified remaining endemic areas, starting in 2009, 85 of. Research supported by tdr has contributed to the development of onchocerciasis control strategies, especially the work in collaboration with merck and the mectizan donation program, which was pivotal in the development of the use of ivermectin for onchocerciasis and in the development of the current cdti mechanism, respectively. The african programme for onchocerciasis control apoc was launched in 1995, ultimately to eliminate human onchocerciasis from the african countries in which the disease was endemic. Cdc neglected tropical diseases global ntd programs. Various control programs aim to stop onchocerciasis from being a public health problem.
In 1995, the african program for onchocerciasis control or apoc was formed with the aim of totally eliminating the disease as a public health concern. Plan for devolution of the onchocerciasis and leprosy. When research showed that cdti may ultimately eliminate onchocerciasis infection, apoc was given in 2008 the additional. As a public health problem, the disease is most closely associated with subsaharan africa, but it.
Onchocerciasis river blindness clinical presentation. Review of the national program for onchocerciasis control. Onchocerciasis also causes ugly skin disease with depigmentation and severe unrelenting itching. Ngos also play a key role in advocacy and resource mobilization for onchocerciasis elimination. Onchocerciasis or river blindness is a parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm onchocerca volvulus. As a public health problem, the disease is most closely associated with subsaharan. The aim of the program is to eliminate onchocerciasis also known as riverblindness as a significant.
Weil1, onchocerciasis river blindness is a major public health problem in subsaharan africa. Throughout its history, ocp has been distinguished by its large size, the complexity of its operations, the long time frame needed for success, and the degree of commitment required by donors and participating countries alike. Conclusion onchocerciasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases of public health concern in nigeria. Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is the second leading cause of preventable blindness after trachoma.
Largescale control of onchocerciasis commenced over three decades ago, initially through the onchocerciasis control programme in west africa ocp, 19742002, and more recently by the african programme. The ocp is recognized as a solid pillar of achievement among health development efforts and is considered by the donor community the most successful health program in west africa. The onchocerciasis control program in west africa a longterm commitment to success bernard h. Ivermectin coverage increased under the elimination program, with 97. Progress towards onchocerciasis elimination in the.
Its programs are intended to improve the socioeconomic status of those living in the affected areas. The health team who are working at lower health care delivery system, lack references and the surveillance of onchocerciasis is still weak in most health services. African programme for onchocerciasis control 19952015. The establishment of sustainable national onchocerciasis control programmes in all african countries where such programmes are needed remains the.
Its main objectives were to eliminate human onchocerciasis, as a disease of publichealth importance and an obstacle to socioeconomic development, from the programme area. The filarid parasite onchocerca volvulus is the causative agent of human onchocerciasis river blindness, an infection characterized by chronic skin and eye lesions. Liese john wilson bruce benton and douglas marr among african health programs, this program to control riverblindness is an exceptional recent success story. The disease is called river blindness because the blackfly that transmits the infection lives and breeds near fastflowing streams and rivers. Diagnostic tools for onchocerciasis elimination programs johnny vlaminck,1 peter u. Its caused by the worm onchocerca volvulus onchocerca volvulus is a parasite. A recent article is onchocerciasis elimination in africa feasible by 2025. The national onchocerciasis control program was established in 1992 to undertake programs aimed at controlling and eliminating onchocerciasis as a public health problem in uganda. Because the insect that spreads the disease breeds and lives near fastflowing rivers and streams. It has helped to dramatically reduce the number of disabilityadjusted life years dalys lost. Elimination of the disease is in reach for the countries. Until 20, ethiopias onchocerciasis control program only supported mda in meso and hyperendemic areas with the treatment threshold set at 20%.
Frank richards and colleagues may, p 16631 raise strategic issues relating to the onchocerciasis control programmes. Past achievements in the control of onchocerciasis. The director of the oncho con trol program is a congenial surgeon from gambia, dr. An appraisal of the neglected tropical diseases control. The onchocerciasis elimination program of the americas oepa was created in order to eliminate onchocerciasis as a public health problem. The first part gives a detailed account of the history, structure, operation and achievements of the onchocerciasis control program, starting with the unique features of onchocerciasis as both a disease and an. Onchocerciasis is an eye and skin infection caused by the parasitic worm, onchocerca volvulus, which is transmitted by the bite of an infective blackfly genus simulium.
Onchocerciasis is still a neglected tropical disease ntd in cameroon and urgently demands a need for intensification and probably modification of some strategies in the current onchocerciasis elimination program. In this study, we estimate the health impact of apoc and the associated costs from a program perspective up to 2010 and provide expected trends up to 2015. Horizontal and vertical delivery of health services. Cdti was developed by the whos special program for research and training in tropical diseases and african program for onchocerciasis control and is now being adopted by other disease programs. The book is written in a clear, instructive language. The who african programme for onchocerciasis control final. Compared to the control program, the percentage of communities achieving 90% ivermectin. Progress towards onchocerciasis elimination in the participating. Report of the twentysixth session of the technical consultative committee pdf. More than 22,000 villages in africa outside the onchocerciasis control programme ocp in west africa had been surveyed, allowing the identification of many new foci basanez et al. The first part gives a detailed account of the history, structure, operation and achievements of the onchocerciasis control program, starting with the unique features of onchocerciasis as both a disease and an impediment to socioeconomic development.
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