Reaching the last mile: main challenges relating to and recommendations to accelerate onchocerciasis elimination in Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Onchocerciasis (river blindness), caused by the filarial worm species Onchocerca volvulus, is a serious vector-borne neglected tropical disease (NTD) of public health and socioeconomic concern. It is transmitted through the bite of black flies of the genus Simulium, and manifested in dermal and ocular lesions. Ninety-nine percent of the total global risk and burden of onchocerciasis is in Africa. This scoping review examines the key challenges related to the elimination of onchocerciasis by 2020-2025 in Africa, and proposes recommendations to overcome the challenges and accelerate disease elimination. To find relevant articles published in peer-reviewed journals, a search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was carried out.

Main text

Rigorous regional intervent

SUBMITTER: Gebrezgabiher G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6609392 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature