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. 2014 Jan;90(1):89-95.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0407. Epub 2013 Nov 4.

Ongoing surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in Togo: assessment of alternatives and nationwide reassessment of transmission status

Philip J Budge  1 , Ameyo M Dorkenoo, Yao K Sodahlon, Omofolarin B Fasuyi, Els Mathieu
Affiliations

Ongoing surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in Togo: assessment of alternatives and nationwide reassessment of transmission status

Philip J Budge et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2014 Jan.

Abstract

Tremendous progress has been made towards the goal of global elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) transmission by 2020. The number of endemic countries reducing LF transmission through mass drug administration continues to increase, and therefore, the need for effective post-intervention surveillance also continues to increase. Togo is the first sub-Saharan African country to implement LF surveillance, and it has 6 years of experience with this passive surveillance system. We herein report the results of a recent evaluation of the Togolese LF surveillance system, including an evaluation of blood donors as a surveillance population, and provide updated results of ongoing surveillance, including expansion in remote areas. Since implementation of LF surveillance in 2006, only three cases of positive Wuchereria bancrofti filaremia have been detected, suggesting that interruption of transmission has been sustained. Given the impracticality of validating the surveillance system in the absence of ongoing transmission, we confirmed the lack of transmission through a nationwide reassessment survey.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Schematic representation of WHO guidelines for LF elimination activities in Togo from 2010 to 2011.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Coverage of (A) laboratory-based surveillance system (2006–2007) and (B) blood banks in Togo (2010–2011).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Villages selected for reassessment survey in Togo from 2010 to 2011.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Strategy for follow-up of ICT or ELISA positive results in Togo from 2010 to 2011. TBS = thick blood smear.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. World Health Organization . Monitoring and Epidemiological Assessment of the Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis at Implementation Unit Level. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2005.
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