The Role of the Maridi Dam in Causing an Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy Epidemic in Maridi, South Sudan: An Epidemiological, Sociological, and Entomological Study
| Autor: | Tom L. Lakwo, Stephen Raimon, Robert Colebunders, Jane Y. Carter, M. Tionga, J.N. Siewe Fodjo, P. Alinda, Wilson Sebit |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Microbiology (medical)
medicine.medical_specialty blackflies dam 030231 tropical medicine vector control lcsh:Medicine Article law.invention 03 medical and health sciences Epilepsy 0302 clinical medicine elimination Simulium damnosum law Epidemiology medicine Immunology and Allergy Seroprevalence Socioeconomics Biology Molecular Biology Spillway nodding syndrome General Immunology and Microbiology Nodding Syndrome onchocerciasis lcsh:R medicine.disease 3. Good health Infectious Diseases Transmission (mechanics) epilepsy Onchocerciasis 030217 neurology & neurosurgery |
| Zdroj: | Pathogens, Vol 9, Iss 315, p 315 (2020) Pathogens Volume 9 Issue 4 |
| ISSN: | 2076-0817 |
| Popis: | Background: An epilepsy prevalence of 4.4% was documented in onchocerciasis‐endemicvillages close to the Maridi River in South Sudan. We investigated the role of the Maridi dam incausing an onchocerciasis‐associated epilepsy epidemic in these villages. Methods: Affectedcommunities were visited in November 2019 to conduct focus group discussions with village eldersand assess the OV16 seroprevalence in 3‐ to 9‐year‐old children. Entomological assessments to mapblackfly breeding sites and determine biting rates around the Maridi River were conducted.Historical data regarding various activities at the Maridi dam were obtained from the administrativeauthorities. Results: The Maridi dam was constructed in 1954&minus 1955. Village elders reported anincreasing number of children developing epilepsy, including nodding syndrome, from the early1990s. Kazana 2 (the village closest to the dam epilepsy prevalence 11.9%) had the highest OV16seroprevalence: 40.0% among children 3&ndash 6 years old and 66.7% among children 7&ndash 9 years old. TheMaridi dam spillway was found to be the only Simulium damnosum breeding site along the river,with biting rates reaching 202 flies/man/h. Conclusion: Onchocerciasis transmission rates are highin Maridi. Suitable breeding conditions at the Maridi dam, coupled with suboptimal onchocerciasiscontrol measures, have probably played a major role in causing an epilepsy (including noddingsyndrome) epidemic in the Maridi area. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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