Monitoring migrant groups as a post-treatment surveillance approach to contain the potential risk of lymphatic filaraisis re-emergence after stopping mass drug administration in Togo

Monitoring migrant groups as a post-treatment surveillance approach to contain the potential risk of lymphatic filaraisis re-emergence after stopping mass drug administration in Togo

Research question

In March 2016, the Republic of Togo submitted an application for validation of the elimination of LF as a public health problem. However, healthcare facility managers in some health regions – especially in the Savanes Region, have reported the presence of migrant groups from neighboring countries which are still endemic to LF – i.e. Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria. Migrants arrive and reside temporarily but recurrently in some localities of these regions. They constitute hotspots that can be source of resurgence, mainly because the nationwide passive surveillance has been stopped in 2016. 

In order to track all population movements that constitute a potential risk to the Republic of Togo, the country proposes to set up a strategy for the identification of these groups, with the contribution of Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Focal Points, followed by the research of potential parasite carriers. Isolated cases discovered will be investigated in order to track all imported W. bancrofti. They will be treated, but if an effective hotspot is discovered, rounds of Albendazole and Ivermectin MDA will be implemented a follow up of infected individuals will be maintained. 

The purpose of this study is to contribute maintaining the end of LF transmission across the country.

Study sites

Notes

This project is one of six inaugural studies funded by the African Researchers' Small Grants Program.