Control, elimination, and eradication of river blindness: scenarios, timelines, and ivermectin treatment needs in Africa.

ABSTRACT: River blindness (onchocerciasis) causes severe itching, skin lesions, and vision impairment including blindness. More than 99% of all current cases are found in sub-Saharan Africa. Fortunately, vector control and community-directed treatment with ivermectin have significantly reduced morbidity. Studies in Mali and Senegal proved the feasibility of elimination with ivermectin administration. The treatment goal is shifting from control to elimination in endemic African regions. Given limited resources, national and global policymakers need a rigorous analysis comparing investment options. For this, we developed scenarios for alternative treatment goals and compared treatment timelines and drug needs between the scenarios. Control, elimination, and eradication scenarios were developed with re

SUBMITTER: Kim YE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4393239 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature