Fascioliasis Control Program

Fascioliasis Control Program in Bolivian Altiplano Communities of South America

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PROGRAM SUMMARY

Millions of people are currently infected worldwide with fascioliasis, and nearly two-hundred-million people are at high risk for infection. This program has been designed to control human fascioliasis transmission and infection by the trematode F. hepatica in the Bolivian Altiplano region. This is a poverty stricken area of small, rural, agricultural villages that is mostly populated by indigenous Aymaran people. Approximately 70% of the population in this area is living below the poverty level, and heath care and education levels are poor. This target region has the highest rate of human fascioliasis infection in the world

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In order to effectively decrease infection rate and transmission of fascioliasis in these communities, a multi-dimensional plan has been established. Each community will be educated on the source, transmission, consequences, and prevention of F. hepatica infection. Community members will be screened for disease, and those who are infected will be given treatment. Those treated will be followed over seven days as required by the WHO fascioliasis triclabendazole treatment program. In addition to education, screening and treatment, materials and labor also will be provided to build pens for livestock in an effort to prevent continued transmission by the mammal reservoirs of this area. Local residents will be recruited to assist the team. Livestock will also be screened and treated with albendazole when possible. To further decrease transmission, materials and labor will be provided to build latrines to decrease outdoor defecation, and fresh water wells will be drilled to provide clean, fresh water for drinking and cooking.  Pens will be constructed to restrict the grazing of the livestock to decrease transmission as well.

By implementing these plans, we will be able to effectively reduce the transmission, infection rate, and virulence of human fascioliasis infection caused by F. hepatica. While this area is being initially targeted due to its high infection rate, this plan will also be implemented in other endemic communities in this region to decrease human fascioliasis infection and transmission.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

*    Facilitate an application from the Bolivian Ministries of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization 6 to the drug company, Novartis, to obtain the freely available anthelmintic treatment and promote distribution and documentation of treatments.

*    Develop and institute a mobile program to screen and treat those infected with fascioliasis.

*    Develop an educational program to inform the local populations about human and animal fascioliasis and what can be done to decrease the burden of illness in their community.

        The program will include:

        1) promotion of proper food washing and preparation techniques to remove metacercarie from aquatic plants and encourage thorough cooking to kill any remaining parasites to prevent consumption.

        2) promotion of improved sanitation and hygienic practices that will decrease transmission of this disease.

        3) promotion of the development of a program to restrict the grazing areas of livestock.

For a complete version of the control program please see the link below.

FASCIOLIASIS CONTROL PROGRAM        BUDGET        COMPLETE REPORT    LINKS