COUNTRYWIDE RAPID EPIDEMIOLOGIC MAPPING OF ONCHOCERCIASIS (REMO) IN CAMEROON

The prevalence of infection in local communities has been used as the basis for the country-wide repartition of onchocerciasis In Cameroon, following the principles for rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocer ciasis (REMO) developed by the World Health Organization. The levels o f endemicity were evaluated in 349 villages by rapid epidemiological a ssessment (REA), a method based on the examination of nodules in males aged greater than or equal to 20 years. An onchocerciasis map was the n drawn from the epidemiological data which had been collected previou sly, from clinico-parasitological surveys based on the examination of skin snips, and the results of the REA surveys. The REMO surveys allow ed the main onchocerciasis foci in Cameroon to be accurately delineate d, and several small endemic areas which had never been reported befor e to be identified. The total 'at risk' population (i.e. those for whi ch ivermectin treatment should be considered as urgent or highly desir able) was estimated by combining the epidemiological results and the d emographical data available from an administrative census. Those at ri sk were estimated to number 3.5 million, representing about 50% of the total rural population in Cameroon.