Historical Elimination of Onchocerciasis from Victoria Nile Focus in Central Uganda Verified Using WHO Criteria
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
Abstract
Uganda has verified elimination of seven onchocerciasis foci since 2007 when the nationwide onchocerciasis
elimination policy was launched. However, the Victoria Nile focus (which was eliminated in the early 1970s) had not
been verified. The objective of this study was to verify this focus to the WHO verification guidelines and bring it in line
with recently eliminated foci. Vector control with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane was the main intervention used at the
Victoria Nile from the 1950s to the 1970s. Historical fly collection sites along River Nile were identified for recent fly
collection. Relevant health workers near the sites were trained to supervise fly collection activity. With support from
communities, fly collectors were identified, trained, and equipped to collect Simulium flies for at least a year. A total of 854
Simulium flies were collected and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction to detect Onchocerca volvulus DNA. The
communities and their leaders provided consent for the collection of dry blood spots (DBS) from children younger than 10
years for investigation of recent exposure to the disease.A total of 2,953DBSwere collected and analyzed by OV16 ELISA
to detect the presence of IgG4 antibodies recognizing the OV16 antigen. The results showed that none of the flies carried
O. volvulus DNA. Similarly, all the children were OV16 negative, showing no exposure to onchocerciasis. All the flies
collected were identified as Simulium adersi, which is not a known vector for O. volvulus. The results confirmed that
onchocerciasis and its vector Simulium damnosum had been eliminated in the Victoria Nile focus.
Description
Keywords
Onchocerciasis, Victoria Nile Focus, Central Uganda, WHO Criteria
Citation
Katabarwa, M. N., Habomugisha, P., Khainza, A., Oguttu, D. W., Byamukama, E., Katamanywa, J., ... & Richards, F. (2020). Historical Elimination of Onchocerciasis from Victoria Nile Focus in Central Uganda Verified Using WHO Criteria. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 102(6), 1411. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.20-0064