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A One Health Approach for Guinea Worm Disease Control: Scope and Opportunities.
Matthew R Boyce1, Ellen P Carlin1, Jordan Schermerhorn1
1Center for Global Health Science & Security, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
|October 17, 2020
Summary
Guinea worm disease (GWD) eradication efforts face challenges as evidence shows it affects both humans and animals. A One Health approach is crucial for controlling GWD, integrating human and animal surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Veterinary Medicine
- Tropical Disease Research
Background:
- Guinea worm disease (GWD) was targeted for eradication due to its human-exclusive infection and manageable transmission.
- Emerging evidence indicates GWD affects both human and animal populations, challenging the traditional eradication strategy.
- The One Health framework highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review epidemiological evidence supporting a One Health approach for GWD control in six affected countries.
- To assess the impact of increasing animal infections on GWD eradication efforts.
- To identify key areas for research and intervention within a One Health framework.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data from Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan (2015 onwards).
- Analysis of trends in human GWD cases, geographical spread, and animal infections.
- Evaluation of existing GWD control strategies in light of zoonotic potential.
Main Results:
- Human GWD cases have significantly declined but show recent increases in counts and new areas.
- A notable rise in animal infections with Guinea worm has been observed.
- Current GWD control strategies may be insufficient given the zoonotic nature of the disease.
Conclusions:
- An adjusted GWD eradication approach incorporating One Health principles is urgently needed.
- Enhanced animal surveillance, understanding animal transmission dynamics, and assessing human-animal transmission risks are critical.
- Fostering multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for successful GWD control and eradication.
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