The epidemiology and control of onchocerciasis in West-Africa

The present thesis deals with research which has been undertaken since 1983 with the aim of finding answers to the three main epidemiological questions which have been discussed above, i.e. I.-What are the epidemiological patterns of ocular onchocerciasis in West Africa and what is the geographical boundary of the blinding, savanna, form of onchocerciasis 2.-What has been the epidemiological impact of vector control in the OCP and what are the predicted epidemiological trends for the remainder of the vector control period. 3.-What is the potential of ivermectin as a tool for onchocerciasis control. . Following a review of onchocerciasis in West-Africa in chapter 2, the research on ocular onchocerciasis patterns in different bioclimatic zones is discussed in chapter 3. Chapter 4 deals with the epidemiological evaluation of vector control, including the development and use of epidemiological models and research on the reproductive lifespan of O.volvulus. In chapter 5 the results of community trials of ivermectin are presented. Chapter 6 gives the general conclusions with reference to their practical implications for onchocerciasis control. Finally, a summary in English and in Dutch is provided in chapter 7.

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