Risk maps for six Neglected Tropical Diseases available in Burundi for the first time

Risk maps for six Neglected Tropical Diseases available in Burundi for the first time

Between September and December 2007, the Burundian integrated NTD Control programme conducted integrated mapping for 6 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), namely schistosomiasis, three soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), lymphatic filariasis (LF) and trachoma.

Data was collected in randomly selected schools and communities across Burundi so to be representative of the whole population. The data was then entered and analysed by SCI. Bayesian geostatistical models were used to interpolate prevalence of the NTDs across the whole country and produce risk maps, which are essential visual aid for informing the Burundian integrated NTD Control programme on who to treat where, according to the World Health Organisation guidelines.

It was therefore determined that:

All 43 health districts are at risk of infection by at least one STH (Hookworm prevalence shown on map).

Treatment with albendazole will thus be distributed to all children aged 1-14 years-old and pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimester across the country.

18 health districts are at risk of infection by schistososmiasis. Treatment with praziquantel will thus be distributed to all school-aged children (5-14 years-old) in the 18 endemic health districts.

All 43 health districts are at risk of infection by trachoma. A different protocol having been used to collect this data, the risk map represents the worst case scenario and a further baseline survey is needed before a treatment strategy can be defined. However, it is clear that trachoma is a public health problem in Burundi.

LF was not found in Burundi.