AI Article Synopsis
- National control programs for onchocerciasis are in place in endemic countries, but Gabon still needs to implement effective control measures.
- Current research on the disease in Gabon is limited, primarily focused on the Lastourville region, revealing significant variability in disease distribution across the country.
- The study highlights the need for better understanding of the disease's ecology to create effective health policies aimed at eliminating onchocerciasis in Gabon.
Article Abstract
Control and treatment programs (CDTI) have been set up nationally in all endemic countries to overcome the impact of onchocerciasis on the affected populations. However, Gabon must still succeed in setting up real onchocerciasis control programs. Here, various database articles have been used to provide the scientific community with a summary document showing the mapping of this disease in Gabon. The articles dealing with onchocerciasis, animal reservoirs, surveillance, and elimination were analyzed. Results showed that little research has been performed. Most studies are concentrated in one region (The area of Lastourville). In addition, we observed that the distribution of the disease varies significantly across the country. Indeed, specific environments present a hyper-endemicity of the disease, while others are meso and hypo-endemic. So, we found some departments with a prevalence ranging from 0% to over 20%; within them, villages had infection levels comprising 10% to 60%, indicating potential hotspots. Vectors activities were studied in some areas. This paper showed the challenges encountered in the country to eliminate this disease. One solution is a deeper understanding of the disease's bioecology to establish effective health policies to eliminate onchocerciasis in Gabon effectively.
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|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10458829 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11081946 | DOI Listing |
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