[Trypanosomiasis from Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in the center of north-west Uganda. Evaluation of 5 years of control (1987-1991)]

Abstract

In Uganda, a case-finding and treatment programme has been implemented by Médecine Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Ministry of Health in the North of West-Nile province. Data collected in the hospital of Moyo from January 1987 to June 1991 were analyzed. Forty eight hundred and twenty two cases of trypanosomiasis due to T. B. gambiense has been recorded. Cumulative incidence rate for this period was 5.6%. Passive and active case-finding strategies were used, both based on Card Agglutination Test (CATT) as screening tool, followed by parasitological examinations. The mobile teams identified 1906 of the 4,822 cases (39.5%). Case fatality rate was 2.6%. This study confirmed the association between social and political disruptions, large movements of population and extension of trypanosomiasis. Active case-finding seems to quickly reduce disease prevalence in hyper-endemic areas. An integrated programme is then necessary to control sleeping sickness transmission.