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Corporate Authors:
WHO Collaborating Center for Research, Training and Eradication of Dracunculiasis. ; Emory University. Carter Center ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
WHO Collaborating Center for Research, Training and Eradication of Dracunculiasis. ; Emory University. Carter Center ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) Less -
Description:
ETHIOPIA & COTE D’IVOIRE STOP GWD, BEGIN PRE-CERTIFICATION!!

After months of suspense, there is increasing evidence and confidence that both Ethiopia and Cote d’Ivoire have interrupted indigenous transmission of dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease). As of end October 2007, Ethiopia had reported no indigenous cases for 16 consecutive months and Cote d’Ivoire for 13 consecutive months (Figure 1). Thus thirteen of the original twenty endemic countries are now free of indigenous dracunculiasis, (Figure 2) and it is possible that Burkina Faso and Togo, with 11 and 10 consecutive zero case months respectively, may also have already recorded their last cases of Guinea worm disease. The 348 cases reported from all endemic countries during September 2007 (Table 1, Figure 4) represents the lowest number of cases of dracunculiasis reported during any month since the global program began.

The national Guinea Worm Eradication Programs of Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia both had to work hard to stop transmission of dracunculiasis despite significant insecurity in their most recent endemic areas: ethnic clashes in parts of Gambella Region, Ethiopia, and civil war in Cote d’Ivoire. Fortunately, in Cote d’Ivoire, a strong push by MAP International, UNICEF, Health and Development International and The Carter Center to intensify interventions in the remaining endemic area just months before the civil war erupted in September 2002 helped prevent a potentially disastrous setback. By focusing its efforts to repair existing hand pumps, drill and equip new borehole wells, and help villagers construct bio-sand filters using local materials in the endemic districts of M’bahiakro, Tanda, Bondoukou and Bouna, MAP International helped improve access to safe water and reduce the rate of broken hand pumps in endemic and at-risk villages from 72% to 15%. Both bio-sand filters and hand pump sources were used in Dodoassue’ village (Tanda District), which reported 80% of all cases in the country in 2001, because the local population continued to use water from the river due to their strong relationship with the spirit of the river. Lendoukro village in M’bahiakro District recorded all 5 of Cote d’Ivoire’s final indigenous cases in 2006. Earlier uncertainty about whether Ethiopia had eliminated indigenous transmission derived from questions about the provenance of 3 cases recorded along Ethiopia’s border with southern Sudan, which is still highly endemic (see Guinea Worm Wrap-Up #175). Cote d’Ivoire hosted a WHO-sponsored meeting of Francophone countries (Benin, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Guinea) in the pre-certification phase of dracunculiasis eradication at Abidjan on September 4-5, 2007. Ethiopia hosted a WHO-sponsored meeting for Anglophone countries and areas (Ethiopia, Kenya, northern Sudan, Uganda) in the pre- certification phase at Addis Ababa on October 30-31, 2007.


Subject:
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Communicable Disease Control
Dracunculiasis/prevention & Control
Dracunculus Nematode

Series:
Guinea worm wrap-up ; # 177
Document Type:
Newsletter
Place as Subject:
Côte d’Ivoire ; Ethiopia
Côte d’Ivoire ; Ethiopia Less -
Collection(s):
Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection
Main Document Checksum:
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urn:sha256:039f2b5315ea1cde2ab8bfadf23b5bd91fa9e366387e27f5d17b6f7ee39a1da1
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