Towards interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in sub-Saharan Africa:developing an appropriate environmental surveillance framework to guide and to support 'end game' interventions

Stothard, J Russell and Campbell, Suzy J and Osei-Atweneboana, Mike Y and Durant, Timothy and Stanton, Michelle C and Biritwum, Nana-Kwadwo and Rollinson, David and Ombede, Dieudonné R Eloundou and Tchuem-Tchuenté, Louis-Albert (2017) Towards interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in sub-Saharan Africa:developing an appropriate environmental surveillance framework to guide and to support 'end game' interventions. Infectious diseases of poverty, 6 (1). ISSN 2049-9957

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Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a waterborne parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly common in rural populations living in impoverished conditions. With the scale-up of preventive chemotherapy, national campaigns will transition from morbidity- to transmission-focused interventions thus formal investigation of actual or expected declines in environmental transmission is needed as 'end game' scenarios arise. Surprisingly, there are no international or national guidelines to do so in sub-Saharan Africa. Our article therefore provides an introduction to key practicalities and pitfalls in the development of an appropriate environmental surveillance framework. In this context, we discuss how strategies need to be adapted and tailored to the local level to better guide and support future interventions through this transition. As detection of egg-patent infection in people becomes rare, careful sampling of schistosome larvae in freshwater and in aquatic snails with robust species-specific DNA assays will be required. Appropriate metrics, derived from observed prevalence(s) as compared with predetermined thresholds, could each provide a clearer insight into contamination- and exposure-related dynamics. Application could be twofold, first to certify areas currently free from schistosomiasis transmission or second to red-flag recalcitrant locations where extra effort or alternative interventions are needed.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Infectious diseases of poverty
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2725
Subjects:
?? AFRICA SOUTH OF THE SAHARAANIMALSEPIDEMIOLOGICAL MONITORINGFRESH WATERHUMANSPOPULATION SURVEILLANCESCHISTOSOMASCHISTOSOMIASISSNAILSJOURNAL ARTICLEREVIEWPUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTHINFECTIOUS DISEASES ??
ID Code:
126532
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
24 Jul 2018 15:42
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
22 Sep 2023 00:35