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Onchocerca volvulus: striking decrease in transmission in the Vina valley (Cameroon) after eight annual large scale

M Boussinesq1, J Prod'hon, J P Chippaux

  • 1Antenne ORSTOM auprès du Centre Pasteur, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|January 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

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Repeated ivermectin treatments significantly reduced Onchocerca volvulus transmission in Cameroon. Even with low drug coverage, annual treatments lowered infection prevalence and intensity in children.

Area of Science:

  • Tropical Medicine
  • Parasitology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Onchocerca volvulus causes river blindness, a significant public health issue in endemic areas.
  • Ivermectin treatment is a key strategy for controlling onchocerciasis, but its long-term impact on transmission requires ongoing evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effect of repeated annual ivermectin treatments on the transmission of Onchocerca volvulus.
  • To evaluate changes in infection prevalence and intensity in children within communities receiving mass drug administration.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study was conducted in two Cameroonian villages (Ngoumi and Babidan) with high initial community microfilarial loads.
  • Untreated children aged 5-7 years were monitored before and after 7-8 successive annual rounds of ivermectin treatment in the general population.

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  • Prevalence and intensity of Onchocerca volvulus infection were measured using microfilarial loads per skin snip.

    • Main Results:

    • In Ngoumi, prevalence and intensity decreased by over 90% after 8 annual treatments, with continued decline observed.
    • In Babidan, 7 annual treatments also led to significant reductions in prevalence and intensity, though less pronounced than in Ngoumi.
    • Reductions were achieved despite drug coverage below 60% and the presence of competent black fly vectors (Simulium damnosum s.s. and S. sirbanum).

    Conclusions:

    • Repeated annual ivermectin treatments are effective in substantially reducing Onchocerca volvulus transmission.
    • Sustained mass drug administration can lead to significant decreases in infection burden even in challenging epidemiological settings.
    • The findings support the continued use of ivermectin for onchocerciasis control programs.