The selection of communities for treatment of onchocerciasis with ivermectin

Abstract

In areas endemic for onchocerciasis, active community-based treatment with ivermectin is preferred to individual diagnosis and treatment. Ideally, all infected persons should be treated, although initially priorities may have to be set at local or national levels. We suggest that all communities with a prevalence of O. volvulus infection of 20% or more in adult males aged 20 years or over should be treated, and that elsewhere facilities for passive treatment should be provided. In some areas, for logistical reasons, treatment may first have to be started in communities with the highest prevalences (perhaps above 40% or even 60%) and then expanded to all endemic communities. The available dat..