Expert Advisory Committee: report of the twelfth session; Ouagadougou 10 -14 June 1991

Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa Programme de Lutte contre I'Onchocercose en Afrique de I'Ouest JOINT PROGRAMME COMMITTEE Office of the Chairman JOINT PROGRAMME COMMITTEE Twelfth session Rivadh. l-4 December l99l Provisional aeenda item 7 EXPERT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Reoort of the twelfth session Ouaeadoueou. l0 - l4 June l99l CONTENTS List of Participants Executive Summary Opening of the session Adoption of the agenda Follow-up of EAC.I I recommendations Matters arising from the eleventh session of the JPC Administrative and financial briefing Report of the twelfth session of the Ecological Group Review of vector control operations Review of epidemiological evaluation and surveillance activities Disease control with ivermectin . Devolution . . . Review of the Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy Project Review of draft Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase (1992-1997) . . . . Research priorities Composition of the EAC in relation to devolution Other matters Date and place of EAC.l3 Adoption of the report Closure of the session Annex I Report of the twelfth session of the Ecological Group COMITE CONJOINT DU PROGRAMME Bureau du President JPCt2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) ORIGINAL: ENGLISH September l99l JPC . CCP t t t Paee 2 4 A. B. c. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. o. P. a. R. 7 7 8 8 8 9 il t4 l6 t7 20 2t 22 24 25 25 25 25 26 a i tt I JPCt2.3 (ocP/EAc /et.t) page 2 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Members Dr Y. Aboagye-Atta, Resident Medical Officer, Department of Health and Nuclear Medicine, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box 80, !g, 1!g, Ghana Professor B. Adjou-Moumouni, Carre 816 Aidjedo, gg1g4, Br6nin Dr A.D.M. Bryceson, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, 4 St. Pancras Way, London, NWI OPE, United Kingdom Professor T.A. Freyvogel, Swiss Tropical Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box CH-4002, Basle, Switzerland Dr N. G. Gratz, Chemin du Ruisseau,4, l29l Commusnv, Yaud, Switzerland Dr C. L6veque, Directeur de Recherches, ORSTOM, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie, 43 rue Cuvier, 75231Paris Cedex 05, France Professor D.H. Molyneux, School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liveroool L35 QA United Kingdom (Vice-Chairman) Professor A.S. Muller, Academic Medical Centre, Department of Social Medicine, University of Amsterdam, l5 Meibergdreef, ll05 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Chairman) Dr J.L. Stockard, l7 Angel Wing, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926, United States of America Co-ooted Member Dr A.D. Franklin, l4 Impasse de la Cave, 77100 Meaux, France World Health Orsanization Dr E.M. Samba, Director, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Qg3gad.glg@, Dr H. Agoua, Devolution Unit, Onchoceiciasis Control Programme, Ouaeadouqou Dr L.K.B. Akpoboua, Vector Control Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Bamako Dr O. Ba, Devolution Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Ouaqadousou, Dr C. Back, Vector Control Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Bouake Dr D.A.T. Baldry, OCP Liaison Office, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, WHO/HQ, Gglgy3 Dr Y. Bissan, Vector Control Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, @@ Mr D.A. Boakye, Consultant Cytotaxonomist, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, @f,.q Dr B.A. Boatin, Chief, Epidemiological Evaluation Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Ouaeadoueou Dr D.A. Carvalho, Chief, Devolution Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Qgg.gadgJ.g Dr O.lV. Christensen, Consultant, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, CJg!!g,a , 't a JPCIZ.3 (ocP/EAC /et.t) page 3 Dr Y. Dadzie, Epidemiological Evaluation Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, @gAdg.u.@ Dr D.B. Evans, Health Economist, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva Dr C. Ginger, Manager, Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy Project, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Geneva Dr P. Guillet, Vector Control Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, @ Mr p. Kabor6, Vector Control Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, @Agadgggg Mr G. Koulischer, Chief, Administration and Management, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Ouaeadoueou Dr R. Le Berre, Chief, Filariasis Unit, Division of Control of Tropical Diseases, Geneva Dr D. Quillevere, Chief, Vector Control Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, @Adglg Dr C. Ravaonjanahary, Regional Adviser, Vector Biology and Control, AFRO, Brazzaville Miss M.L. Ravelonanosy, Programme Officer, Director's Office, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Ouaeadoucou Dr J.H.F. Remme, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva Dr D. Sangar6, Epidemiological Evaluation Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Bamako Dr A. Setcet6ti, Devolution Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Bg@kg Mr E.J. Senghor, Information Officer, Devolution Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Ouaeadoueou Dr E. Soumbey-Alley, Chief, Biostatistics and Information Systems Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Pro g ramme, 9gggadgggs. Dr A.W. Tiemtor6, Devolution Coordinator, IVHO/AFRO, Ouaeadoueou Mr L. Yam6ogo, Yector Control Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Qggadg.Ugg Mr D.G. Zerbo, Vector Control Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, @ Mr J.B. Zongo, Devolution Unit, Onchocerciasis Control Programme, Qg3.gadg.Ugg Committee of Sponsorine Asencies Mr Bruce Benton, Onchocerciasis Coordinator, Population and Human Resources Division, Sahelian Department, World Bank, l8l8 H. Street N.W., Washineton D.C .20433, United States of America Other oarticioants Mr Emmanuel Nikiema, Directeur G6neral de I'Autorit6 des Am6nagements des Vall6es des Voltas, AVV, (ONAT, Office National de I'Amenagement des Terroirs), B.P. 524, Ouaeadoueou Mr Jules Som6, Sociologue, Chef du Service des Etudes, AVV, (ONAT), 8.P.524, Ouaqadoueou C tPct2.3(ocP/EAC/9t.t) p^ge 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY l. The twelfth session of the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) was held in Ouagadougou at the headquarters of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP) from l0 to l4 June t991. Informal briefing was provided on 8 June, and a visit to a settlement area was made on 9 June. 2. During the opening of the session the Committee noted that once again Programme operations had progressed well without any significant reinvasion and insecticide resistance problems. On the financial side the Programme had continued to be haunted by fluctuations in the purchasing power of the US dollar. Positive developments in devolution had been the creation of an OCP Devolution Unit and of a Devolution Task Force, and the assignment to Ouagadougou of a WHO/AFRO Devolution Coordinator. 3. lYith regard to the eleventh session of the Joint Programme Committee (JPC), the EAC was informed that the JPC welcomed the report of the External Review Team and endorsed its recommendations. The JPC had also endorsed the EAC proposed redefinition of the Programme objective and the devolution plans of four Participating Countries. A draft Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase had been well received by the JPC and this document had now been updated to include the comments and suggestions of both the JPC and the External Review Team. 4. On the subjects of administration and finance, the Committee was informed that strict cost- saving measures had continued to be in force and despite the unfavourable US dollar/CFA exchange rate, the year 1990 ended with an unspent balance of US $337,892. The Plan of Action and Budget for 1992 was being prepared on the basis of larviciding, concentrating on a portion of the original area, the Southern Extension area and southern part of the Western Extension area, together with large-scale ivermectin distribution. Basic management principles continued to support Programme activities and were being disseminated through seminars and the production of a handbook. Data processing technology was also being used on an expanding scale. 5. In considering the report of the twelfth session of the Ecological Group (Annex I), the Committee expressed its satisfaction and appreciation of the work accomplished. It endorsed the Group's recommendation concerning surveillance of the aquatic environment and acknowledged the necessity of continuing the search for new operational larvicides. lVhile recognizing that terrestrial and aquatic environments in lVest Africa were suffering from numerous deleterious impacts, the Committee agreed with the Ecological Group that such problems could not be attributed to the Programme. Furthermore, the Committee recalled that the mandate of the Ecological Group was limited to the aquatic environment, and, as suggested by the JPC, global environmental issues had to be coordinated by the Committee of Sponsoring Agencies (CSA) in relation to socioeconomic aspects of development. 6. Aerial larviciding operations had been contained within the ceiling of flight hours similar to rhe previous year despite increased volumes of larvicides having been used to cover a larger treatment zone. The established strategy of insecticide rotation had been implemented and further refined to help the optimization of aerial operations. Larvicide application equipment had performed reliably and efficiently, and, relations with the aerial contractor had been good. Phoxim had been added to the Programme's arsenal of operational larvicides. The insecticide resistance pattern of existing compounds remained the same; for the first time an instance of resistance to pyraclofos had been noted. Reinvasion had been controlled by larviciding operations in the Extension areas. The Committee also noted the important contribution to operational activities made by applied research on vector taxonomy, transmission dynamics, and insecticide resistance. Entomological surveillance activities had continued to provide essential back-up to the epidemiological component of the Programme, and information which helped determine the criteria for cessation of larviciding. 7. The Committee emphasized the need to continue the search for new larvicides and improved formulations through continuing good relations with the insecticide industry, which would help ensure that the flow of candidate compounds to the Programme was maintained. t --) JPCIZ.3 (ocP/EAC /et.t) page 5 8. The entomological situation in Sierra Leone was discussed in relation to the vector control strategy to be introduced in the S. soubrenre 'Bn zone in the south of the country. Programme staff had been obliged to temporarily suspend operations in that area, but were urged to resume them as soon as it was feasible to do so, in order to determine the most appropriate strategy to implement in this unique epidemiological situation. 9. In reviewing epidemiological evaluation and surveillance activities, the Committee was informed that the epidemiological mapping, essential for planning control strategies and the judicious selection of communities for ivermectin distribution, had now been completed. The entire OCP area has now been mapped. 10. With regard to ophthalmological activities, the Committee learnt that on-going studies suggested that ocular onchocerciasis was not a significant public health problem in communities with a CMFL of less than 5 mf/s. I I. The epidemiological findings for decision-making regarding the cessation of larviciding were presented in relation to the model predictions, and, their important role was emphasized. The present stage in the search for a diagnostic tool for early diagnosis of onchocerciasis indicated remarkable progress in the development of candidate immunodiagnostic reagents. Several antigens with very good to excellent sensitivities, but rather poor specificities, had been identified. In the near future, field testing of the candidate antigen would be needed. In this respect, OCP would be well placed to play a part. Studies on DNA probes had shown that the DNA probe classification of O. volwtlus correlated strongly with ocular onchocerciasis patterns in the Programme. OCP was now preparing to implement the use of DNA technology for epidemiological studies. 12. Large-scale'activen distribution of ivermectin by epidemiological teams had continued in poorly controlled areas, in areas of reinvasion, in study areas and, as an adjunct to vector control, extensively throughout the southern part of the Western Extension. No major problems had been encountered regarding compliance, toxicity, reactions or parasite resistance. 13. After three annual doses of ivermectin, onchocercal eye disease had improved or been arrested In clinical terms this correlated to the situation achieved by l0 years of vector control. 14. "Passive'distribution of ivermectin by national health posts or NGOs had been carried out to different extents in five Participating Countries. Further study was needed to determine the best and most appropriate methods of delivery. 15. Ivermectin distribution rendered useless the standard method of epidemiological surveillance (skin snips). This problem emphasized the need for an efficient immunodiagnostic test. 16. The computer model predicted that large-scale distribution of ivermectin could control transmission in the event of recrudescence if certain precise criteria of surveillance and drug distribution were met. The prediction emphasized the importance of transferring these skills during devolution. 17. The Committee was provided with up-to-date information on developments in the field of devolution, and was pleased to learn that IVHO/AFRO had recently appointed a WHO Devolution Coordiriator located in the WHO Representative's office in Ouagadougou. Also, the Programme Director had established a Devolution Unit at OCP headquarters to work closely with the Devolution Coordinator. Furthermore, a Devolution Task Force had been set up composed of the WHO/AFRO Regional Advisor on Parasitic Diseases, the Devolution Coordinator, a representative of OCCGE and members of the OCP Devolution Unit t JPCr2.3(ocP/EAc /et.t) page 6 18. The JPC at its December 1990 session had considered and endorsed national devolution plans prepared by four Participating Countries in the Original Programme area which was thus entirely covered by such plans. Bilateral assistance to their implementation was slow in coming forth. The Programme had prepared a series of manuals pertinent to devolution and continued its efforts in the field of training. 19. The Committee commended the Programme and WHO/AFRO on their increasingly close collaboration in support of national devolution processes and reconfirmed that the EAC's role in this field was one of providing overall technical advice rather than scrutinizing individual country plans. 20. The amalgamation of OCT and the macrofilaricide component of TDR Filariasis had been successfully completed. The new project Macrofil was handled by the Manager of OCT. The TDR budgetary contribution was defined and distinguished from that of OCP. 21. The developments of the Ciba-Geigy compounds CGP 6140 (Amocarzine) and CGP lE04l had met with some delays but these remained the immediate hopes for a macrofilaricide. Promising new benzimidazole compounds from academia, UMF 078 and UMF 289, would be pursued as vigorously as the budget permitted but would not be ready for clinical trial before 1993 at the earliest. Meanwhile, screening of compounds from industry was being intensified and limited research from academia supported in order to define targets for industry. 22. Pending the availability of new compounds for human trials, the Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy Research Centre (OCRC) at Hohoe had been investigating the effect of ivermectin combined with other drugs. The EAC requested that OCRC should investigate urgently, in patiens with onchocerciasis, the possible macrofilaricidal role of high doses of ivermectin as had been discovered in lymphatic filariasis. 23. Drug development was expensive, risky and uncertain in its outcome. Much of Macrofil's work in the preclinical developments of a macrofilaricide would have to be contracted out as needs arose. The timing and extent of the clinical trials that would be needed, would depend on the availability and nature of relevant compounds. For these reasons it was difficult to budget accurately, and flexibility would be needed in is administration. 24. The Committee had before it a draft Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase (1992- 1997) which incorporated comments made on a previous draft by the EAC at its 1990 session and by JPC during its session in December 1990. The Committee noted that the draft Plan of Operations was in line with the OCP Long-Term Strategy and the operational guidance provided by the EAC. The Committee fully endorsed the draft. 25. The Committee reviewed research requirements, and confirmed its previous recommendations; it maintained that highest priority be given to the search for new larvicides and improved formulations of existing ones, to the development of a macrofilaricide, and to the elaboration of a diagnostic test suitable for the early detection of infection. JPCI2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.1) page 7 A. OPENING OF THE SESSION 26. The twelfth session of the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) was held in the headquarters of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP) in Ouagadougou from l0 to 14 June 1991. 27. In opening the session, the Programme Director gave a warm welcome to EAC members with special mention to a new member, Professor B. Adjou-Moumouni and to a co-opted member, Dr A.D. Franklin. He was also pleased to be able to introduce to the Committee, Dr A. W. Tiemtor6, newly appointed WHO/AFRO Devolution Coordinator stationed in Ouagadougou. 28. The Programme Director expressed his satisfaction with the way in which the Programme had progressed over the past year. There had been no operational problems of any significance. Good progress had been made in completing the draft Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase, which had already been previewed by some of the Donors, whose responses to the Programme Director and to the World Bank had been encouraging. 29. The Programme Director was also pleased that the past year had witnessed some new and positive developments with regard to devolution. Not least among them was the creation of an OCP Devolution Unit, staffed by five professionals drawn from other units of the Programme and with provision made for consultants to cover some specialized fields of public health. This was one more important development which underlined the emphasis that would be placed on devolution throughout the fourth Financial Phase, to ensure that the Programme's objective was attained. In this context, the Programme Director stressed the importance of national responsibility in devolution and the constitutional role of \YHO/AFRO in supporting the Participating Countries to strengthen their devolution capacity within their health care delivery systems. 30. In his opening statement the EAC Chairman thanked the Programme Director and his staff for the excellent briefings provided to the Committee two days previously. He also expressed the Committee's gratitude to Mr E. Nikiema, AVV (ONAT), and to Programme staff for the excellent arranS,emens made for visits to Linoghin and Rapadama resettlement areas on 9 June. B. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 31. The following agenda was adopted by the Committee: A. Opening of the session B. Adoption of the agenda C. Follow-up of EAC.I I recommendations D. Matters arising from the eleventh session of the JPCE. Administrative and financial briefingF. Report of the twelfth session of the Ecological Group G. Review of vector control operations H. Review of epidemiological evaluation and surveillance activitiesI. Disease control with ivermectinJ. Devolution K. Review of the Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy ProjectL. Review of draft Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase (1992-1997) M. Research priorities N. Composition of the EAC in relation to devolution O. Other matters P. Date and place of EAC.l3 a. Adoption of the reportR. Closure of the session JPCr2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page 8 C. FOLLOW-UP OF EAC.II RECOMMENDATIONS 32. The Programme Director was fully satisfied that appropriate follow-up action had been taken on the Committee's recommendations from its eleventh session. This was substantiated as the Committee considered individual agenda items. D. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ELEVENTH SESSION OF THE JPC 33. The Chairman informed the Committee that the JPC had welcomed the report of the External Review Team and endorsed its recommendations which to a large extent coincided with those put forward by EAC during its recent sessions. More particularly, the JPC had subscribed to the statement by the Team that l4 years of larviciding was required to bring vector control to a successful end, thus extending Programme operations in the Extension areas beyond 1997. Another recommendation, that the disciplines represented in the membership of the EAC should increasingly reflect the growing importance of devolution, was included as a separate item on the Committee's agenda for its present session. 34. The JPC further endorsed the EAC proposal for a redefinition of the Programme objective and approved the list of priorities for OCP-supported research prepared by the EAC at its 1990 session. 35. Four Participating Countries of the Original Programme area presented their devolution plans. These were all endorsed by the JPC and followed by a discussion on the need for Donor support in their implementation. 36. The JPC had considered a proposal for contributions to be designated for particular Programme activities, chosen by individual Donors, and concluded that the present policy of nun-tied' contributions should continue. 37. A draft Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase (1992-1997) was well received by the JPC and strong indications of support for its implementation were given by several participants. E. ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL BRIEFING Savines 3E. The strict cost-saving measures taken since 1987, regarding both operations and administration, had continued to be enforced and to yield good results. The budget for 1990 had been prepared at a US dollar/CFA exchange rate of 338, but executed at an averaee of CFA274. In spite of this unfavourable trend, 1990 ended with an unspent balance of US $337,892. Overall directives for savings had been renewed early in 1991, impressing upon all staff the need for financial stringency, while keeping the Programme objective in mind in an uncompromising way. I992 budeet 39. The proposed 1992 budget amounting to some US $32.5 million, fell within the framework of the Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase. As far as vector control activities were concerned, the budget took into account the option recommended by the EAC and approved by the JPC in 1990: larviciding in the initial Programme area, Southern Extension, and southern part of the lYestern Extension, and provision for large-scale ivermectin distribution, in the abscnce of larviciding, in the northern part of the \Yestern Extension. The OCP personnel establishment, which had stabilized in 1990 and 1991, after drastic reductions from l9E7 to 1989, would undergo a moderate decrease in 1992 (6.7qo as compared to l99l). JPCl2.3(ocP/EAc /9t.t) page 9 General 40. Basic management principles were increasingly supporting the activities of the Administration and Managemeniunit which was endeavouring to disseminate them throughout the Programme area, particularly through the organization of seminais and the preparation of a handbook. Data processing, which had been in use in ttre financial services since 1988, was being variously applied in the services dealing with personnel and supplies, and being introduced into the management of vehicle spare parts. F. REPORT OF THE TWELFTH SESSION OF THE ECOLOGICAL GROUP 41. The report of the twelfth session of the Ecological Group, attached_he_rgtq as Annex I, was presented to the Committee by the Chairman of the Ecological Group, Dr C. Leveque. 42. The Committee was informed that the Ecological Group had confirmed its agreement for the operational use of pyraclofos, after analyzing the re-sults of complementary studies conducted in Cote dilvoire (rivers Marahoue and White Bandama) and in Ghana (river Pru). The utilization of phoxim as a replacement for chlorphoxim was also approved by the Group which noted that only orcanoohosohates were now available for treating rivers at discharge rates in the range of 15 - 70 1nf/r. itt. broup therefore wished to see an intensification of efforts to obtain chemical molecules "nd ne**, formulations from other chemical families (synthetic pyrethroids, carbamates, etc.) to avoid the major problems which would arise if resistance developed simultaneously to pyraclofos, phoxim and temephos. The Group reiterated that permethrin and carbosulfan should only be used for a limited number of treatment cycles under conditions of high river discharge rates. 43. The Chairman of the Ecological Group also reminded the Committee of the presentation he had made to the eleventh session of ine JPC in which he stressed that the problems of the environment should be addressed not only for ethical reasons, but especially in terms of their economic importance in providing aquatic animal resources to the human riverine populations of the savanna. The situation was particilarly serious as the drought of the 1970's had resulted in lowering of the water-table with .onrlqu.nt reduction in the overall duration of flow in the savanna rivers; some of which were formerly perennial but had now become seasonal. 44. The detailed analysis of the results of the short-term tests of different insecticides on the non- target fauna was in piogress. It was necessary to explore the extent to which these observations allJwed predictions to be made on the long-term impact of the insecticides concerned, taking into account the combination of different factori which were likely to have an influence on the dynamics of the different organisms in the aquatic environment. 45. The Group had been advised of the cessation of larviciding operations in a number of watercourses in the Original Programme area and had reiterated its recommendation that surveillance be continued for 2 - 3 years post-control to evaluate the potential and rapidity of recolonization of these watercourses. m aaAition, the Group had identified those lines of research which need to be pursue& physico-chemical assessment of the quality of river water in the Programme area and utilization of-predictive models to estimate, on the basis of its physico-chemical characteristics, the fate of a particular insecticide in the environment. 46. The secondary impact of the Programme, as perceived by Koeman and Dejoux in their report presented to the twelfth session of the Ecological Group (see Annex I, paragraph 68), was discussed ty tne Committee, who noted that the terristrial and aquatic environments of West Africa were suffering from numerous deleterious impacts (deforestation, industrial pollution, agricultural pesticides, etc.). These problems, both actual and potential, could not however be attributed to the 'progr"rr., even though in certain cases the successes of the Programme had allowed the installation of populations who, un'avoidably, had made an impact on the environment through their activities. JPCl2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page l0 47. The present mandate of the Ecological Group was not concerned with the terrestrial environment. In this perspective, the JPC had encouraged the Committee of Sponsoring Agencies (CSA) to give attention to broader environmental problems and the Ecological Group would be pleased to offer advice to the CSA on the basis of its own field experiences. 48. The efficient participation of national teams in the surveillance of the aquatic environment had been very much appreciated by the Ecological Group, which hoped that such national expertise could be directed towards other types of environmental study within the framework of devolution. 49. Fully recognizing that the broader issues of the environment, especially the impact of human activities on the terrestrial ecosystem, were outside the mandate of the Programme, the Committee hoped that such issues could be addressed to the appropriate specialized agencies through the intermediary of the CSA. 50. The subject of insecticide susceptibility levels amongst aquatic non-target organisms was discussed and the Committee noted that clarification was required. Under the conditions of the Programme's long-term larviciding operations some non-target organisms might have developed tolerance or resistance to some of the insecticides that had been routinely used. If this had indeed happened, it was important that the Programme was aware of it, for two reasons. Firstly, reduced susceptibility amongst some organisms could influence toxicity tests of new larvicides and formulations and cause misleading results. Secondly, reduced susceptibility could increase the survival value of the organisms concerned which could be important in the overall context of environmental preservation. Although such phenomena would be difficult to study, partly because suitable study techniques were lacking, Programme staff would endeavour to embark upon an appropriate testing programme. 51. The Committee was informed that effors had been made to obtain a better understanding of the behaviour and fate of permethrin in the aquatic environment by reviewing information collected outside the Programme area from larviciding operations similar to those of the OCP. To date, the only information forthcoming concerned permethrin treatments of the River Sanaga in Cameroon. After three years of treatment of this river there had been slight modifications to the structure and composition of non-target benthic communities and a reversible reduction in the susceptibility to permethrin of the targ,et blackfly population. However, the Sanaga was a large river with high discharge rates (minimum 400 m37s) and permethrin coverage had been restricted to a 30km stretch from a single treatment point. Consequently, it had been very difficult to make a meaningful comparison between observations made on the Sanaga and those made in the Programme area. 52. The Committee noted the recommendation of the Ecological Group concerning the need for an increased level of taxonomic resolution of the Chironomidae but remarked that this family was taxonomically more complex than that of S. damnosum s.l. 53. The Committee was informed of a field visit of three members of the Ecological Group to Sierra Leone, during which the faunistic situation of the rivers was assessed. The presence of untreated tributaries having diverse and abundant fauna was stressed. It was also noted that fish fauna of the watercourses in Sierra Leone were very similar to those found in the rivers of eastern Guinea. The invertebrate and fish fauna had been sampled and the collections were currently being analyzed. 54. The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the quality of the report of the twelfth session of the Ecological Group and congratulated the hydrobiological teams of the Programme and of the Participating Countries for the work they had conducted. JPCt2.3(ocP/EAc /et.t) page I I G. REVIEW OF VECTOR CONTROL OPERATIONS General overview 55. The Committee was briefed on the activities of the Yector Control Unit (YCU) during the past year. The salient points noted were that larviciding had been suspended in over 70% of the Original area, that the strategy of insecticide rotation using six compounds (with the introduction of pyraclofos and the replacement of chlorphoxim by phoxim) had been further refined, that reinvasion from Sierra Leone had been controlled, and, that the first full-scale larviciding operations in Sierra Leone had been successful in the northern part of the country. Programme-wide there had been good control of transmission. There had been no larviciding in the northern part of the Western Extension. 56. Post-control entomological evaluations had continued in the Original area and with the exception of the river Banifing IY (Mali), the results had been generally very good, demonstrating no transmission or very low levels of transmission (8 infected flies out of 18,000 parous flies at Nabere on the Bougouriba; 16 infected flies out of 8,140 at Zongoiri Rapids on the White Volta). 57. The Committee noted that, for operational reasons, the western boundary of the eastern operational area (EOA) had been shifted to the west so that EOA now covered the rivers Lower Bandama, Nzi and Comoe (Cote d'Ivoire). There had been a few localized larviciding problems in the EOA, but overall, the rotation of six larvicides had been conducted successfully, and ATPs had usually been below 100. The beffa form of S. soubrcnse had infiltrated the basins of the rivers Okpara and Oueme from Nigeria and caused some local transmission, but further movement into the Programme area had been prevented. The river Sota had also been treated intermittently whenever a treatment aircraft was in the neighbourhood. Overall there had been a marked improvement in reinvasion control. 58. In the western operational area (IVOA) equally good results had been achieved. As a result of larviciding operations in Sierra Leone, reinvasion of Guinea and south-western Mali had been prevented for the second consecutive year and there had thus been dramatic declines in transmission in both (formerly heavily reinvaded) areas. In the south of Sierra Leone a strong larviciding attack had been launched against S. soubrense 'B', but this had recently been discontinued for political reasons. 59. The Committee was also provided with summaries of applied research activities concerned with the identification of adult flies, with cytotaxonomy (aimed at a better understanding of population movements and insecticide resistance), with aquatic monitoring of new larvicides, and, with the search for new insecticides and improved formulations of existing ones. Further details of insecticide research activities are contained in Annex I, Section D. Larvicidine 60. The Committee noted that some 20,000 km of river were being treated in the wet season, using six different larvicides on a rotational basis, i.e. Bacilhu thuingiensis H-14 (8.t. H-14), temephos, chlorphoxim/phoxim, pyraclofos, carbosulfan and permethrin. During the dry season, no more than 2,000 km of river was being treated, using mainly B.t H-14. As in the past, the rotational use of larvicides was carried out to overcome insecticide resistance in populations in which it had already appeared, to prevent the development of resistance, to avoid damage to the aquatic ecotope, and to reduce costs. Furthermore, different compounds were being applied in relation to their activity at different volumes of water flow. See Annex I, Figure l. 6l . The total quantity of larvicides used in I 990 was 619,000 litres which was an increase of I 03,000 litres over 19E9, mainly due to the prolonged use of B.t H-14 as a result of the delay in the onset of the rainy season. Insecticide usage comprised: JPCr2.3(ocP/EAc/9t.t) page 12 - temephos: - chlorphoxim: - pyraclofos: I 10,000 litres/year and in rotational use in 80% of the Programme area (optimally at discharge over 50 m3/s) 20,OOO litres/year (optimally at discharge of l5 -t50 m3ls) 3,000 litres in 1990, its first year of operational use (optimally at discharge of l5 -150 m3ls) - carbosulfan: 36,000 litres/year (optimally at discharge of 70 - t 50 m3ls) - permethrin: 44,000 litres/year (optimally at discharges above t50 m3ls) - B.t. H-14: 406,000 litres /year on rivers of low discharge below t5 m3ls. The effect of larvicidine on blackflv oooulations 62. The Committee recognized that the situation was completely satisfactory in the Original Programme area after suppression of transmission as a result of larviciding activities. In the l#estern Extension area, there had been a spectacular fall in reinvasion following treatments in Guinea and Sierra Leone, further confirming the reality of the reinvasion axes into the core area. Unfortunately, the political situation in Sierra Leone has necessitated suspension of larviciding in southern areas and the effects of this remained to be seen. Fortunately, S. soubrense '8" was not a strongly migratory species, so an attempt would be made to seasonally eliminate it, if access to the area was possible in 1992, though the area may well be recolonized from Liberia. The specific issue of S. soubrense "8" control is considered at greater length below. 63. As expected, blackfly populations had returned to pre-control levels in pars of the core area, where spraying had been suspended. However, the finding of infective flies was very rare. The Committee endorsed the strategy of cessation of spraying in areas where the number of L3larvae had fallen below the threshold determined by the model. It was drawn to the attention of the Committee that the return of fly populations had become a nuisance problem for the settlers in these areas. Ground larviciding was proposed to suppress these fly populations in zones of particular economic importance and the Programme had prepared a manual to guide national staff in this type of application. However, even ground larviciding required the development of support services, and, should be part of the development of vector-borne disease control services and expertise within each country. Problems of blackflv resistance to insecticides 64. Resistance to temephos and chlorphoxim/phoxim had persisted in S. damnosum s.s. and in S. sanctipauli populations in south-eastern C6te d'IVoire. The Committee was also concerned that reduced susceptibility to pyraclofos had been found in S. fumnosum s.s. in a limited area of temephos/chlorphoxim susceptibility. 65. The Committee noted that an operational gap could develop in the larvicide rotation strategy for rivers of intermediate discharge rate, especially in areas of temephos resistance. Under such conditions discharge rates would be too low to permit the use of permethrin and carbosulfan and too high to allow the use of B.t. H-14. The only alternatives would be the other organophosphates, pyraclofos and phoxim. However, these compounds would have to be used judiciously in order to keep to a minimum the risk of cross-resistance developing to them. Research on insecticide resistance 66. The Committee agreed that priorities in the area of resistance control had to be focused upon encouraging the pesticide industry to develop new compounds which would be effective in controlling organophosphate resistant blackfly populations without any risk of those populations becoming cross- a JPCl2.3(ocP/EAc /9t.t) page 13 Research on insecticide resistance 66. The Committee agreed that priorities in the area of resistance control had to be focused upon encouraging the pesticide industry to develop new compounds which would be effective in controlling organophosphate resistant blackfly populations without any risk of those populations becoming cross- resistant to the new compounds. Equally important were the development of more selective and effective formulations of the larvicides currently in use, and the accelerated screening of potentially alternative pyrethroids and carbamates. 67. The Committee was informed that the YCU Insecticide Research Unit, Bouak6 (IRU) had recently implemented quality control procedures for larvicides and had received considerable cooperation from suppliers in those instances where problems of product quality were identified. It was considered important to continue this procedure to ensure that the insecticide industry was conscious of the need for the highest quality materials to be supplied as specified. 68. The Committee recognized that unless a macrofilaricide became available before the end of the Programme, the need for effective, environmentally acceptable larvicides would continue; support to the IRU should therefore be continued and, indeed, be increased to enable it to expedite the screening of new compounds and improved formulations. In addition, every effort should be made to encourage the closest cooperation with the insecticide industry to ensure a flow of candidate larvicides for screening. 69. It was reported to the Committee that the Programme was cooperating with the Institut Pasteur, Paris, where research on the genetic engineering of B.t. H-14 involving the cloning of the genes of toxins and protoxins, was underway. This research should be encouraged, as it might help to determine which toxin(s) was most active against blackfly larvae, and thus facilitate the development of more effective B.t. H-I4 formulations. 70. The Committee noted with satisfaction that a brochure was being prepared explaining the activities of the IRU and the optimum characteristics of larvicides. This should be completed as soon as possible and be given wide circulation to the insecticide industry. Aerial ooerations 71. The Committee noted that aerial operations had been satisfactorily conducted in the past year and commended the Programme on the way they had been managed. The number of flight hours has been maintained at roughly l9E9 levels despite the increased area under larviciding and the greatly increased quantities of B.t. H-14 applied in t990. It was also noted that the insecticide delivery systems had functioned efficiently and effectively over the past year and that relations between the Programme and the aerial contractor had been satisfactory. However, the continued high level of pilot turnover at Odienne base was a perennial problem. Entomolosical activities 72. The various methods of Simulium identification, including a new programme for morphometric analysis, were making a growing contribution to the Programme's entomological activities. Considerable progress had also been made in correlating insecticide susceptibility/resistance of blackflies with particular cytospecies. Computerization of information on their distribution, abundance, vectorial capacity and insecticide susceptibility was making an important contribution to control operations. The projected introduction of a DNA probe identification technique for parasites, at the IRU, should provide the opportunity for incorporating the same methodology for blackfly identification, given that probes for certain cytospecies already existed, The Committee noted these developments with approbation. I I / t i JPCt2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page 14 The oroblem of Simulium soubrense "B" 73. The problems associated with S. soubrense 'B" in Sierra Leone were discussed at length by the Committee. The epidemiological situation in the area where this vector was present was characterized by hyperendemicity with high CMFLs and a blinding form (Sierra Leone) of onchocerciasis. Major transmission was between May and July when extremely high ATPs occurred, due to the remarkable vectorial capacity of S. soubrcwe "B". The Programme had intended to target this population in April 1991, in the hope that temporary, seasonal, elimination could be achieved, but this had not been possible. The Committee recognized that vector control in this area was a problem, because of large, perennial rivers with exceptionally high discharges, which could not be treated with B.r. H- 14. This limited the choice of insecticide and presented environmental and cost constraints if permethrin and carbosulfan were to be used. This would necessitate reliance mainly on organophosphate compounds which could expedite the emergence of resistance. Even if this species was eliminated from Sierra Leone, it might readily return through infiltration from untreated areas in Liberia or even be replaced by the "Menankayan form, an efficient vector which occurred in areas of Sierra Leone to the north of the present distribution of S. soubrcnse "8". 74. The Committee was aware of the expense of larviciding in this area ($1.3 million per year) and that control of transmission might not be feasible given the exceptional vectorial capacity of this fly. Therefore, the Committee endorsed the Programme's strategy that, if feasible, an attempt to eliminate S. soubrense 'B' be made in April 1992. This would permit the efficacy of larviciding to be evaluated at a period when transmission was known to be at its highest, then allowing larviciding to be suspended when transmission was greatly reduced. Meanwhile, efforts should be made to obtain information on the transmission dynamics of this species. If larviciding proved impossible, then ivermectin distribution alone would be the only means of control. H. REVIEW OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES Eoidemioloev 75. The Committee noted that epidemiological mapping had been conducted in the Extension areas, especially in the basins of the rivers Bafing (Mali), Bakoye (Guinea), Sewa and Bagbe (Sierra Leone) Zou, Oueme and Mono (Togo and Benin). More than 490 villages were examined in the process. \Yith that the entire Programme area had now been epidemiologically mapped to identify areas requiring large-scale ivermectin treatment; an achievement which the Committee considered to be highly commendable. 76. Post control epidemiological evaluations had also been conducted in the Original area and the results were generally good. Three areas that had different results from the general trends were the Banifing IV area where the presence of many Onchocerca of animal origin probably accounts for the discrepancy between entomological results and the epidemiological findings; the middle portion of the upper lVhite Bandama where there was a migration phenomenon involving fishermen between this area and southern Cote d'Ivoire; and Kouno on the Sissili where the construction of a dam had created new blackfly breeding sites responsible for local transmission. The Committee was pleased with the work done and suggested that further studies be done to clarify the migration situation. 77. With regard to alternative methods of diagnosis, the Committee noted the considerable progress being made in the field of immunodiagnosis. The results presented showed the very high sensitivities but rather low specificities of the antigens tested, and the Programme would need to prepare itself for the field testing of the candidate antigens. This was an area in which the Programme was collaborating with TDR and this collaboration was seen as very positive and to be further encouraged. 78. Regarding simple, rapid, non-invasive means of diagnosis, the results of community diagnosis using nodule palpation showed the good correlation between prevalence of palpable body nodules and CMFL and also between one observer and another. The Committee recognized that while this method of diagnosis was of little importance to the Programme, it could be very useful in endemic zones outside the OCP area for the identification of communities which should be regularly treated with ivermectin. JPCl2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page 15 79. Follow-up studies on the long-term effects of large-scale ivermectin treatment on ocular onchocerciasis in Asubende had demonstrated the regression of eye lesions of the anterior segment of the eye and the arrest of the development of lesions of the posterior segment in persons who had received three annual ivermectin doses, thus confirming earlier observations. Some members of the community had not received 3 consecutive ivermectin treatments, including persons who were either absent at the time of the drug distribution or who had been disqualified from treatment because of the exclusion criteria. Because the number of persons concerned was small, it was not possible to assess the impact of treatment on their eyes. The Committee urged that ophthalmological follow-up studies should continue and that the impact of both regular and irregular ivermectin treatments should be assessed. 80. The Programme had defined threshold values for large-scale ivermectin treatment to control ocular morbidity under two different conditions. In areas under vector control all communities with CMFL of I0 microfilariae per skin snip or more are treated. This threshold level is reduced to CMFL of 5 mf/s when no vector control is carried out. These threshold values were estimated by extrapolation from data collected in communities with much higher CMFLs. There was therefore the need for validation and if necessary the refinement of these values. Ophthalmological studies had thus been planned to collect data from 40 savanna villages with CMFL of 3-10 mfls located throughout the Programme area, in order to determine the eye disease load in communities with low intensities of infection (see also paragraphs 90 and 92). El. Preliminary results from 6 villages with CMFL ranging from 3.2-8.2 mf/s suggested that onchocercal eye lesions are rare in communities with CMFL of less than 5 mf/s. The Committee recognized the importance of such studies in connection with the definition of threshold endemicity levels for large-scale ivermectin distribution, and suggested linking the studies to others on epidemiological parameters which may be used to simplify community diagnosis of infection. The Committee noted that an OCP-TDR meeting would be held in November l99l to consider such questions which, in fact, applied more to the control of onchocerciasis outside than inside the Programme area. 82. The Committee commended the collaborative efforts between the Programme and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA, which, with TDR financial support, had demonstrated a strong correlation between the DNA probe classification of Onchocerca volwrlus and ocular onchocerciasis patterns in the Programme area. The Committee recognized the importance of this finding to the Programme and noted with satisfaction that a DNA probe laboratory was about to be set up in the Programme area. The Committee also remarked that this development was another example of a fruitful outcome of close OCP/TDR collaboration. E3. The Committee expressed concern about the method of sterilizing and rotating the sclero-corneal punches that were used for taking skin snips. Programme staff explained that the practice of taking skin snips had been considerably restricted and the sterilization technique had been reviewed. Apolied modelline 84. The Committee was informed that epidemiological modelling has been used extensively to study the phenomenon of recrudescence of onchocerciasis in areas that had been under vector control for a given period of time. Special consideration had been given to questions related to the detection and control of recrudescence. 85. The findings suggested that ivermectin would nearly always control transmission successfully during recrudescence if annual distribution for a period of 15 years were commenced when the incidence of skin snip positivity reached 1.5% per year. Incidence could be detected by surveys conducted every 3 years in high risk villages. At lower levels (<l%) the intervention would often have been unnecessary, while at higher levels (>2%) the intervention would be increasingly likely to fail. The chance of missing this narrow window could be decreased by more frequent surveys, and the chance of successful intervention could be increased by six-monthly distribution of ivermeitin. If six- monthly distribution were to be envisaged, the interval between surveys could be lengthened to 5 JPCt2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) pa8e 16 years. These predictions based on simulations, suggest that in the context of devolution, ivermectin is likely to be a useful method of controlling transmission only if surveillance and the capacity to distribute ivermectin are well maintained. E6. The Committee repeated its previous recommendation that in the event of recrudescence at a site in the core area, the Programme should test the model predictions for recrudescence detection and control. The model should also be extended to include immunodiagnosis in order to predict its potential value for epidemiological surveillance of recrudescence. t7. Furthermore, the Committee noted other applications of the model to study the acceptable vector infectivity levels after cessation of larviciding. A series of recent simulations had confirmed that the level of vector infectivity would be unacceptably high when it exceeded 0.8% - 1.3% of its pre-control level in holo-endemic foci. This level was translated into an operational threshold. Charts for sequential analysis of the entomological data had been developed to enable immediate decision-making to restart larviciding as soon as the threshold values were exceeded. E8. The Committee was also informed that epidemiological modelling activities had been routinely applied to studies of the epidemiological trends analysis. The ocular disease submodel was being developed and testing of the preliminary submodel had commenced. I. DISEASE CONTROL WITH IVERMECTIN 89. In 1990 ivermectin was actively distributed in 1702 villages, essentially by national health staff supported by OCP staff. Amongst a total population of 255,485 the coverage rate was 64%. Distribution by NGOs, mainly in the Western Extension, brought the total treated to 280,000. 90. In the southern part of the Western Extension ivermectin was given as an adjunct to vector control, to any population at risk of onchocercal blindness. This was defined as communities with a CMFL of l0 mf/s or more, a CMFL of l0 mf/s being the threshold below which savanna onchocercal blindness becomes insignificant. 91. Fourteen thousand people were given ivermectin in the Southern Extension in the river basins of the Pru (Asubende), Mono and Ouem6 and in the core area in reinvasion and poorly controlled areas. 92. In the absence of vector control, a CMFL of 5 was chosen as the level at which ivermectin was distributed. This level was adopted at the Task Force Meeting in June 1990, because field research had shown that, of those blind due to onchocerciasis in an endemic zone, 80% were in communities with CMFL greater than 10, and 17% in communities with CMFL between 4 and 10. 93. Compliance was greatest (up to 70%) in highly endemic areas, and least (56%) in the least endemic areas. This observation could have implications for the long-term use of ivermectin in disease control. 94. No major problems had been encountered with active distribution of ivermectin in terms of compliance, toxicity, adverse reactions, drug inactivity or parasite resistance. The skin microfilarial load immediately preceding annual retreatment after 3 doses in Asubende had continued to decrease reaching 25% of the pre-treatment level whilst reaching virtually zero immediately after each treatment. 95. It had become clear that annual treatment was sufficient to control onchocercal eye disease. Following the first ivermectin treatment, ocular loads of microfilariae fell to 2O%, did not rise much over the next year and continued to decline annually with each retreatment, reaching l0% of pre- treatment levels before the fourth dose. Iridocyclitis stopped and did not recur, and a proportion of sclerosing keratitis has regressed. Posterior segment eye lesions remained stable. Three years of ivermectin treatment achieved, in this regard, the equivalent of l0 years of vector control. lPct2.3(ocP/EAc/9t.t) page 17 96. The distribution of ivermectin in the southern part of the Western Extension invalidated the standard method of epidemiological surveillance following vector control. In order that incidence studies can be meaningfully evaluated, it will be necessary to treat skin snip negative individuals with a placebo, rather than with ivermectin, and Merck, Sharp & Dohme should be approached for a supply of placebo tablets. 97. Passive treatment through identified national health posts and NGOs had been carried out in Mali, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Senegal and Burkina Faso. The extent of activity had differed between the countries, and Guinea-Bissau had not yet begun distribution from the I4 identified centres. The reasons for this variability in response and the best method of distribution in each country, need to be investigated. In this respect, the Committee endorsed the recommendations of the External Review regarding research into drug delivery systems, acceptability and compliance. 98. Other problems of passive distribution that had been identified and which needed addressing were the poor feed-back of information regarding who had been treated, and when, and, the adverse effect on epidemiological evaluation in indicator villages in the central area, should ivermectin be distributed passively. Passive treatment with ivermectin in the core area by NGOs could mask instances of recrudescence. 99. The Committee noted the difficulty that OCP had encountered in identifying suitable areas for the repeated administration of ivermectin at 3 - 4 monthly intervals in connection with transmission control, as recommended by the Committee and the External Review. However, studies of the effects of tri-annual and bi-annual distribution were planned in Rio Corubal (Guinea-Bissau) and Mako(Senegal), respectively. In the former focus full entomological evaluation would take place; in the latter, entomological evaluation could take place only if a DNA probe to distinguish cattle Onchocerca larvae (infective L3s) from human Onchocerca volwtlns larvae in Simulium could be used. The Committee approved the Rio Corubal study, and recommended that the entomological evaluation of Mako study await the development of a suitable probe. 100. The Committee was assured that Ministries of Health and NGOs maintained cordial relations with the Mectizan Committee, and that no problems were envisaged during devolution. It was noted that the MRC (UK) would not be able to complete the proposed programme of ivermectin distribution in ir study area in Sierra Leone. The Programme would therefori ensure coverage of this area. l0l. The Committee was informed that the exclusion criteria were changing, particularly regarding lactating mothers (reduced to one week). Individual children under the age of 5 years could receivi ivermectin, if treatment was indicated. The need to weigh before dosing and to oLserve for 36 hours after treatment was being reviewed; however, the Committee thought it advisable for the programme to retain these restrictions. 102. The Committee noted the establishment of laboratory tests for monitoring the development of microfilarial resistance to ivermectin, and requested that a report on the effectiveness of the system and the way it will be linked to the field, be presented at the next EAC meeting (see also paralraph t32). 103. Finally, the Committee agreed that the term'large-scale distribution' was preferable to ,massdistribution'. J. DEVOLUTION 104. Following on from the Programme Director's opening statements on the creation of the ocpDevolution Unit and the assignment of the WHO/AFRO Devolution Coordinator to Ouagadougou, theCommittee was provided with additional information on recent developmens in the fietd ofdevolution. Of particular importance had been the consideration of four national plans by the JpCin December 1990 and their endorsement by the JPC, thus completing the preparation of devolutionplans for the entire Original programme area. tPct2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page 18 105. The OCP Devolution Unit responsible for supporting Participating Countries in implementing their national plans would organize in-service training of national health personnel involved in devolution activities; disseminate devolution-connected information; and deal with matters related to socioeconomic development in the onchocerciasis-controlled zones. 106. Another important development was the increasingly active involvement of WHO/AFRO in this field. Thus, to give added attention to the institutional framework of devolution, a joint WHO/AFRO - OCP coordination meeting had been held in Brazzaville, in February 1991. At this meeting arrangements were made for creating the post of the WHO/AFRO Devolution Coordinator, who was located in the office of the WHO Representative in Ouagadougou with an office at OCP HQs, and for defining his terms of reference. Also, a Devolution Task Force was established composed of the WHO/AFRO Regional Adviser on Parasitic Diseases, the Devolution Coordinator, one representative of OCCGE, and members of the OCP Devolution Unit. The meeting further considered the functions of national disease prevention and control teams which would include the preparation of maps of all the districts concerned, with the number of inhabitants, medical and paramedical personnel, health facilities, etc.; working out an inventory of trained personnel, supplies and equipment; and making budget estimates including justification, for disease prevention and control. A standardized format for compiling such information was available for use by the Participating Countries. 107. On the budget/finance side, the Director of the \YHO Regional Office for Africa had recommended to the countries concerned that they reserve five percent of their WHO budgets for devolution activities. Furthermore, the Regional Director had earmarked the funds necessary for immediate employment of the Devolution Coordinator and his operational expenditures. 108. Members of the Committee expressed their satisfaction with the progress made and their appreciation to all the partners involved in the process of devolution for the considerable efforts undertaken and for the noticeable achievements reported since the eleventh session of the EAC. In considering in more detail the progress made over the last year, the Committee followed the format it had adopted in 1990 and as presented in Annex II of the report of its eleventh session. Particioatine Countries 109. The national approaches to devolution varied both in direction of effort, in progress and in the availability of resources. However, in all plans, surveillance and control of onchocerciasis would combine with other national programmes to control diseases of public health importance, and provision was made to cope with any recrudescence of onchocerciasis that may occur. In this connection members of the EAC expressed concern about the scarcity of accurate information on national health services infrastructure. I t0. All Participating Countries had undertaken ivermectin distribution either on their own or with OCP participation. The Programme had, in this connection, recommended that national teams should undertake active surveillance and large-scale treatment, and in all Participating Countries national teams had been trained to conduct active surveillance, i.e. confirmation of diagnosis by examination of skin snip for the presence of microfilariae. Such surveillance would be conducted every three years in indicator villages. Peripheral health staff were also being trained to conduct passive surveillance, the value of which, however, required further assessment. In cases of presumptive diagnosis at the peripheral level, the patient would be directed to a health centre where medically qualified staff would decide upon the necessity, or not, of confirmation of the diagnosis by the search for microfilariae in skin snips. I I l. The Committee commended OCP for its efforts in mobilizing national staff in the proS,rammes of the Participating Countries in epidemiological evaluation and ivermectin distribution. JPCt2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.r) page l9 I12. The EAC noted with satisfaction the report of the annual Joint NOC Meeting organized by the Programme which, inter alia, had afforded an opportunity for the coordination and monitoring of national devolution activities. However, it was regretted that no training programmes had yet been formulated by any of the Participating Countries. Also, all the countries in the Original OCP area stated that NGOs had so far been little involved in devolution. In the lilestern Extension area, some NGOs had been active in ivermectin distribution in some of the countries. I 13. Most of the countries had made use of radio, television, film shows, lectures, group discussions, drama, songs etc. in their effors to ensure a high coverage of the onchocerciasis problem in the target population. I14. The Committee was informed that the Programme Director had secured the services of a sociologist from the National Land Development Office of Burkina Faso to conduct anthropological research, the findings of which should lead, through health education, to community awareness of the possibility of renewed onchocerciasis transmission, as well as full community participation in surveillance and control activities. Role of OCP ll5. A manual for trainers concerning evaluation of onchocerciasis control, large-scale ivermectin treatment, monitoring of side effects etc, had been provided to the Participating Countries, and copies of materials used in training, such as slides and transparencies, were available to trainers. Also, guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, with emphasis on clinical diagnosis including signs of early infection, were to be incorporated in training manuals. Furthermore, OCP had initiated steps to standardize methods of recording passive ivermectin distribution and had sent appropriate forms to the countries for comments before finalization. I16. As regards training, countries had been requested to submit lists of the number of personnel to be trained, and the place and date for the training courses, but the response had so far been rather poor. Nevertheless, the Committee encouraged the Programme to pursue its efforts in this field and requested that projections of the type, level and quantity of people to be trained (including University training) by the year 1997 be prepared for consideration by the EAC in 1992. The Committee also asked for the preparation of a publication, to be updated as and when necessary, on the number of people trained and where they worked, and, on the manpower needs for devolution. I17. The Chairman noted that at is next session the Committee would be pleased to receive a report addressing the current uncertainties as to how passive surveillance on a national scale could best be carried out and its role in detecting recrudescence. Another report concerning modes of ivermectin distribution in areas not subject to larviciding would also be welcomed. Role of WHO/AFRO I lE. The Committee was gratified to learn of the active participation of IVHO/AFRO in the field of devolution, as testified by the appointment of the 1VHO Devolution Coordinator, and the setting up of a Devolution Task Force, and expressed its confidence in an ever increasing collaboration between WHO and OCP in support of national devolution activities. Fundine of devolution olans I19. The Committee was informed that bilateral funding of the national devolution activities was progressing at a slow pace. JPCt2.3(ocP/EAC/9t.t) p^ge 20 Associated develooments 120. The Committee was informed of a large-scale operational research effort on ivermectin distribution in Nigeria. This programme was of interest to OCP and efforts were being made to keep abreast of its progress. The programme involved rapid community assessments; efforts to ensure compliance with a treatment schedule extended over many years; comparison of delivery strategies with a preference for the primary health care system; and ensuring drug availability at village level. l2l. The Director of ONAT (ex-AVV) provided the Committee with details of the ONAT rural development programme in Burkina Faso and of the gains being made by the people who had settled in onchocerciasis-controlled areas. The suggestion was made that some of the initiatives stimulated by the ONAT, such as those for the self-financing of health care, might be used to encourage and assist rural African communities to become more self-sufficient. 122. Following its deliberation on devolution-related matters, the Committee, after careful consideration of its role in this field, reconfirmed is advisory functions while stressing that it was not equipped to analyze country devolution plans in any detail. K. REVIEW OF THE ONCHOCERCIASIS CHEMOTHERAPY PROJECT 123. A written report of the activities of the Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy Project (OCT) had been circulated in advance to EAC members. The Project Manager reported verbally on certain aspects of this report. 124. The transfer of TDR - Filariasis projects to the Macrofil Chemotherapy Project had been completed but TDR and OCT projects remained separately identified and funded. As and when compounds have been identified for further development a decision would be made as to which programme should take up further development. The OCT was the major partner within this new arrangement, but the Committee was reassured that the benefiS to the Project Manager outweighed any additional work involved. The Committee was pleased to note that, at this early stage, collaboration was satisfactory. 125. Amocarzine (CGP 6140) might be suitable, on presently available data, to tackle small foci of recrudescence experimentally, but could not be used until full efficacy and toxicity data from Latin American trials were released from Ciba-Geigy. The Committee noted the difficulties experienced by the Project Manager in obtaining this data and gave consideration to both a personal approach to Ciba-Geigy, and a high level approach from WHO. These discussions would need to bear in mind the satisfactory legal contracts that were in place for the development of other compounds. 126. Another Ciba-Geigy compound CGI 18041 was progressing well; the drug was now available in bulk and preclinical studies were nearing completion. The Committee noted that toxicological reports were expected at the end of 1991, which would allow a Phase I clinical trial in 1992, if the results were favourable. lTl. The next group of compounds in development, UMF 078, and UMF 2E9, were active experimentally by intramuscular or oral routes, respectively, against lymphatic filariae in dogs. Pharmacological and toxicological profiles suggested that these leads were worth pursuing. The compounds, however, had come from university research, and had not yet been taken up by the pharmaceutical industry. The Product Development Unit (PDU) of TDR had taken up UMF 078 for development, and may in the future help to fund the studies which will be required before clinical use. However, at this time, all development costs must be borne by the Macrofil Project using contract research companies. The Committee noted that the earliest datc for Phase I clinicel studies with UMF compounds would be 1993. JPCl2.3(ocP/EAc/et.t) page 2l 128. Legal agreements with several international pharmaceutical companies had led to an increasing number of compounds (about 500 in 1990-91) passing through the Macrofil screening systems. Constraints on the flow of compounds through the screens included the need to expand screening capacity, demands on the time of the Project Manager and severity of legal conditions imposed by wHo. 129. In accordance with EAC recommendations. and in order to facilitate liaison with the pharmaceutical industry, a Scientific Working Group, jointly funded by OCT and TDR, met to discuss and identify suitable chemotherapeutic targets for which inhibitor compounds could be obtained. This meeting was also likely to generate applications for research grants from Macrofil during l99l - t992. I30. Clinical trials at the Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy Research Centre (OCRC), Hohoe Hospital, Ghana, were studying the use of albendazole in conjunction with ivermectin. The Committee noted that clinical studies in lymphatic filariasis suggested that high doses of ivermectin may be macrofilaricidal, and recommended that comparable studies be carried out urgently in onchocerciasis. l3l. With regard to the siting of additional clinical trials centres it was noted that the OCP area of West Africa, and previously used Latin American centres, may become unsuitable in a few years due to vector control activities and ivermectin treatments. Cameroon and Nigeria were the countries most likely to have clinical centres suitable for chemotherapeutic studies. 132. Studies outside OCT on the development of ivermectin resistance by nematodes (not filariae) suggested that high-level resistance was a rare event, and unlikely to develop in Onchocerca. which had a long life cycle. Nevertheless, in accordance with EAC recommendations, a system was being established to assay possible ivermectin resistance by inoculating microfilariae from man into blackflies after a short in rz'rro incubation with ivermectin. The Committee recommended that the Programme consider how best to make use of this tool in its surveillance programme. 133. The Committee noted that a budget deficit of up to US $555,000 was possible for OCT in 1991, despite a contribution of US $430,000 from TDR. The Programme Director agreed to give priority to OCT's financial needs in l99l should savings be made in other OCP areas, particularly as the donoi community had emphasized flexibility in its financial requirements. The Project Manager stated thatif extra funds were made available, either now or during the fourth Financial Phase, it would be possible to, expand the compound screening programme; commission chemical resyntheses at an earlier stage (this was costly as a large quantity of each compound was needed for the Onchacerca cattle screen); undertake synchronous, as opposed to sequential, preclinical testing; support more researchprojects directed at biochemical targets; and involve more clinical trial centres once a drug was identified from preclinical studies (see also paragraph 137). L. REVIEW OF DRAFT PLAN OF OPERATIONS FOR THE FOURTH FINANCIAL PHASE(1992-1997) 134. The Committee examined a revised draft of the Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase(1992-1997) which incorporated the suggestions, and reflected the comments, made by the EAC at its eleventh session on a previous draft, as well as those offered by the JPC during its eleventh session. The document also reflected the recommendations of the External Review Team. 135. The EAC endorsed the strategy of onchocerciasis control in the various areas of the Programme as defined in the Plan of Operations, and emphasized the need to maintain larviciding in the endemic areas of the Extension areas including zones where migratory savanna flies posed a threat to the Original Programme area. The EAC also underlined the need for ivermectin treatment for 5 -6 years in Extension areas under vector control to reduce morbidity and ocular pathology after which rlctor control would be able to prevent resurgence of ocular lesions. The strategy for those areas where only ivermectin was to be used were areas which were not sources of reinvasion into the core area and where larviciding was technically difficult and beyond acceptable costs. JPCI2.3(ocP/EAC/9t.t) page 22 136. The Committee complimented the Programme on an excellent, well balanced and comprehensive document which took into account the varied aspects of all Programme activities. Members of the EAC made proposals for modifications in the text which would further strengthen the draft before its consideration by the CSA, the Donors'Meeting and the JPC, later in 1991. 137. The Committee noted that the proposed budget for the 1992-1997 period did not make provision for contingencies should any unexpected technical or economic development confront the Programme. The Committee was reminded, however, by the World Bank representative that financial planning for the fourth Financial Phase included holding a minimum contingency reserve of US $10 million in the Onchocerciasis Fund to cover such unexpected developments. IVhile that reserve was considered adequate to cover contingencies under normal circumstances, it would not be sufficient in the event of extreme developments such as those which occurred during the third Phase, notably widespread insecticide resistance coupled with a major decline in the US dollar. The Programme would therefore continue to operate on a tight budget. The Committee noted in this connection that the budgetary requiremens of the Programme might be subject to modifications to meet the need for additional evaluation of potentially promising macrofilaricides and recommended that any such needs be honoured within the budgetary constraints. 138. The Committee also noted that the budget for the fourth Financial Phase was predicated on the financial savings accruing from harmonization of employment conditions throughout the Programme area. The Committee expressed its support for employment harmonization as soon as practicable during the Phase, recognizing the difficulty that widespread changes in staffing conditions would entail. 139. The Committee considered that the Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase was a logical successor to earlier Financial Phases and that it conformed with the OCP Long-Term Strategy. The Plan emphasized the need for continued technical excellence, supported by firm management controls. The Committee reiterated that the ultimate success of the Programme was dependent upon the maintenance of these qualities, which had ensured that the Programme had a high profile and repute amongst the Participating Countries and the Donors alike. The Committee stated is confidence in the Programme capacity to maintain its commitment to the technical priorities which were necessary to achieve the long-term objective, despite the financial constraints. M. RESEARCH PRIORITIES 140. The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the progress made in research as reported in scientific publications and as described previously in the report of the eleventh session of the EAC, in the External Review of thc Onchocerciasis Control Programme ( 1990), in the report of the twelfth session of the Ecological Group 1991, and in the report of the Annual Internal Technical Review Meeting 1991. The Committee considered all previous recommendations, as contained in these documents, as still valid, focusing mainly on the search for new larvicides and improved formulations of those currently used on the search for a macrofilaricide and the development of an appropriate immunodiagnostic test. During discussions, refcrence was also made to the Plan of Operations for the fourth Financial Phase (1992-1997), in which all the items mentioned above were highlighted. l4 I . The EAC endorsed the research recommendations contained in the report of the twelfth session of the Ecological Group (see Annex I) and recommended that in other areas the highest priority be given to: (a) the intensive searching for new larvicides, particularly synthetic pyrethroids applicable for river discharges in the order of l5 - 70 m3/s and with tess impact on non-target fauna than permethrin, and the evaluation of candidate compounds and improved formulations of existing compounds; JPCl2.3(ocP/EAC/9t.t) pa€e 23 (b) the search for a macrofilaricide suitable for large-scale distribution with emphasis on the follow-up of lead compounds and investigations on the effect of high dose ivermectin regimen on adult O. volwtlus; (c) the development of a simple but highly sensitive and specific immunodiagnostic test which would facilitate the early detection of new cases to help the timely detection of recrudescence, and, the assessment of death or damage to adult worms by chemotherapy. 142. The Committee's other recommendations for applied research are presented below under the broad headings of vector control, Onchocerca strain differentiation, alternative methods of onchocerciasis diagnosis, effects of ivermectin, epidemiological modelling, and operational research. Vector control 143. With regard to larvicides, investigations were required on the mechanisms of insecticide resistance in Simulium damnosum including an assessment of the applicability of biochemical tests developed for the detection of resistance mechanisms in other Diptera. Studies were also required on the influence of water quality on the performance of larvicides. These would involve determinations of the physico-chemical properties of river water (temperature, particle suspension, turbidity, etc) and their relationship to larvicide efficacy and carry. 144. Related to the cessation of larviciding operations, studies were required on the population dynamics of aquatic non-target organisms in rivers no longer under treatment. The role of aquatic refugia in the re-population of such rivers by non-target organisms needed to be determined. 145. To improve existing methods for determining the distribution, vectorial capacity and susceptibility to insecticides of different Simulium species, further studies using DNA probe technology were required to improve species identification. Onchocerca strain differentiation 146. Using DNA probe technology, it was important to develop methods for accurately distinguishing O. volvulus from animal filarial species in blackflies, for the detection of transmission and for the differentiation of O. volwlus strains. Studies were also required on the characterization of the O. volwtlus strains which were responsible for blinding onchocerciasis in southern Sierra Leone and for less severely blinding onchocerciasis in the north of that country. Alternative methods of onchocerciasis diaenosis 147. Studies should continue to validate, or otherwise, nodule palpation as a simple uninvasive method for community diagnosis of onchocerciasis. Effects of ivermectin 148. Studies were required to assess the effect of multiple ivermectin treatments on transmission and on adult O. volwlus. Such studies needed to be conducted both within the Programme area and elsewhere in areas where there had been no vector control. Eoidemiolocical modelline 149. There should be an amplication and refinement of the applications of epidemiological modelling with regard to simulations of recrudescence detection and control, to the impact of human migration on the risk and dynamics of recrudescence, to the potential value of immunodiagnosis, and, to the modelling of onchocercal ocular disease and the effect of an intervention with a macrofilaricide. JPCl2.3 (ocP/EAc /91.1) page 24 Ooerational research 150. Research was required to determine the most appropriate strategies for the prevention and detection of recrudescence. These would involve assessments of risk, surveillance of the population, public health education, community participation and the reporting of recrudescence-related phenomena. l5l. Equally, research was required on ivermectin distribution with emphasis on managerial aspects, acceptability, compliance in relation to endemicity and state of the control programme. Assessments had to be made of the cost and effectiveness of varying ivermectin delivery systems and monitoring strategies. 152. Socio-anthropological investigations were required to determine the reasons for low compliance with ivermectin treatment, the acceptability of skin snipping in communities selected for surveillance, and, the interrelationship between control staff and local populations. General remark I53. The Committee was pleased with the close collaboration between OCP and TDR. It recognized the responsiveness of the Filariasis Steering Committee of TDR to the research needs of OCP, and the important technical support of TDR staff to OCP research and evaluation. The TDR research initiatives in immunodiagnosis, DNA probes, community diagnosis, operational research, cost- effectiveness analysis, and its participation in the Macrofil project had proved valuable, and the Committee strongly encouraged the continuation of this fruitful collaboration during the coming years. N. COMPOSITION OF THE EAC IN RELATION TO DEVOLUTION 154. The Committee considered the composition of the EAC in the light of the recommendations of the External Review Team, which had been approved by the JPC. The External Review Team had suggested that, in view of the increasing importance of issues related to devolution, the EAC be strengthened by the addition of new members with extensive experience in public health management, training and institutional development, and in the social sciences. 155. Some Committee members expressed concern that a further expansion of the EAC in terms of disciplines represented, might lead to discussions which missed the focus required to make them fruitiul. Realistic discussions on devolution required from the participants a thorough knowledge of the health care delivery systems in the Participating Countries and therefore membership profiles likely to be somewhat different from those traditionally prevailing in EAC. It was therefore thought that it might be advisable to constitute a'Devolution Group', comparable to the Ecological Group, which *ould form a sub-committee of the EAC, with its chairman being, at the same time, a member of the EAC. 156. Other EAC members were rather reluctant to have yet another group added to the Programme's advisory structure and would prefer a gradual but limited expansion of the EAC along the lines suggested by the External Review. 157. The Committee finally observed that whatever option would be followed, preference should be given to female candidates and candidates from West African countries. l5E. The Committee acknowledged that it was notfor its current members to decide on this issue, but felt that their views should be taken into account, when the CSA drew up the Memorandum of Agreement, setting out institutional arrangements, to be annexed to the OCP Fund Agreement covering the fourth Financial Phase. JPCl2.3(ocP/EAC/et.t) pa$e 25 O. OTHER MATTERS Field visits of EAC members 159. Members of the Committee were reminded that they should inform the Chairman, as soon as possible, of the dates when they would be available to make field visits, and, the topics they would wish to cover. Copies of all correspondence on these subjects should be sent to the OCP Liaison Office in Geneva. Briefine sessions for EAC.l3 160. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the Programme Director and his staff for the informal way in which the briefing sessions had been conducted and requested that future sessions be conducted with equal informality. The Committee also requested that, from now on, briefing sessions be arranged so as to allow the Committee ample opportunity for intensive exchanges of views with the newly created Devolution Unit, especially with regard to the Unit's activities and to significant developments in devolution. P. DATE AND PLACE OF EAC.13 16l. The thirteenth session of the Expert Advisory Committee would be held in Ouagadougou throughout the week commencing 8 June 1992, it being understood that members would attend briefings provided by Programme staff during the preceding weekend. a. ADOPTTON OF THE REPORT 162. The report of the twelfth session of the EAC was approved by the Committee at the close of the session. R. CLOSURE OF THE SESSION 163. At the close of the session the Chairman thanked the Programme Director for the excellent way in which the session had been organized and conducted. Committee members very much appreciated a field visit to a resettlement area, organized on their behalf, and, a wide range of briefing documents which had greatly helped in the exchange of information and ideas, both during briefing periods and the formal session. Finally, the Chairman paid tribute to the valuable support given to the session by the interpreters and the secretary responsible for typing the draft report. JPCl2.3 ocP/EAc/gI.1) gage 26 ANNEX I REPORT OF THE TWELFTH SESSION OF THE ECOLOGICAL GROUP BOUAKE, 25 FEBRUARY . I MARCH I99I CONTENTS SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . INTRODUCTION ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA REPORT ON VECTOR CONTROL OPERATIONS . SEARCH FOR NEW LARVICIDES REPORT ON JOINT WHO/PESTICIDE INDUSTRY CONSULTATION, GENEVA, JUNE I99O REPORT ON AQUATIC MONITORING ACTMTIES . . . . MONITORING ACTIVITIES IN THE WESTERN EXTENSION ANALYS$ OF AQUATIC MONTTORING DRIFT DATA THE KOEMAN/DEJOUX REPORT FOLLOW-UP ON EG.I I RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOW.UP ON PUBLICATIONS woRK PROGRAMME FOR r99t/r992 OTHER MATTERS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEXT SESSION CLOSURE OF THE SESSION APPENDICES I TO 7 27 Paee 29 29 29 3r 33 34 36 3E 40 42 43 43 44 45 45 A. B. c. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. 0. FIGURES I AND 2 46-47 48-56 2JPCIZ.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page 27 Annex I SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS In concluding its deliberations the Ecological Group considered it useful to summarize its recommendations according to five main themes. Accordingly, summaries of its recommendations are arranged below appropriate to those themes. The oossible imoact of svnthetic ovrethroids Reassessment of the synthetic pyrethroids and related compounds to identify potential operational larvicides to replace permethrin and which could be used at river discharge rates of I 5-70m3/s (paragraph 9.). Re-evaluation of currently available data on permethrin and field trials to assess its safest use (paragraph 80). Recoverv of aouatic non-tareet oreanisms followine cessation of larvicidine 3. Studies of the refugia of aquatic non-target organisms (paragraph 7l). 4. Continuation of monitoring of some sites in the Original OCP area for 2-3 years after the cessation of larviciding (paragraph 76). 5. Collection of qualitative invertebrate samples (paragraph 78). 6. Specific surveys to assess the presence or absence of crustaceans for comparison with baseline data collected in the 1970's (paragraph 79). Data manaeement 7. Upgrading of the OCP database of monitoring data to make it more user- friendly (paragraph 40). E. Routine calculation of Standard Deviations for invertebrate drift and Surber samples (paragraph 40). 9. Recovery of monitoring data which has been processed by an external statistician (paragraph 4l ). 10. Consultant to develop user-directed computer software for the manipulation of invertebrate drift data (paragraph 55). ll. Study on the propensity of invertebrates to drift (paragraph 57). 12. Comparison of invertebrates in benthos and in drift samples (paragraph 58). 13. Comparison of invertebrates drifting during the day and during the night (paragraph 60). 14. Consultants for an external evaluation of data collected and analysed on fish and on invertebrates collected by Surber sampling (paragraph 77). Trainine and additional studies 15. Instruction in basic statistics to national hydrobiologists in association with the 1992 Annual Meeting of Hydrobiologists (paragraph 35). I JPCr2.3 (ocP/EAc /9t.t) pa$e 28 Annex I 16. Overlapping of Annual Meetings of Hydrobiologists and of the Ecological Group to allow Group members to lecture on specialized aspects of insecticides and their behaviour in the aquatic environment (paragraph 35). 17. Leave of absence for the OCP hydrobiologist to write up monitoring data for publication and for a doctoral thesis (paragraph 82). 18. Determination of the relationship between river discharge and invertebrate drift (day and night drift, seasonally and annually) (paragraph 6l). 19. Taxonomic studies on aquatic invertebrates (paragraph 62). 20. Comparison of the time and efficiency of sorting drift samples by different methods (paragraph 65). 21. A Group member to elaborate a project proposal for additional research activities, as follow-up to the Koeman-D6joux report (parzrl:raph 72). Search for new insecticides and formulations 22. OCP to continue, undiminished, the search for new insecticides and formulations, and to further refine and expand its programme for the optimization of larviciding operations (paragraph 2l ). 23. Pyraclofos to be considered as an operational larvicide (paragraph 25). 24. Phoxim to be considered as an operational larvicide (paragrtph2T). JPCt2.3(ocP/EAC/9t.t) page 29 Annex I A. INTRODUCTION l. The Ecological Group held its twelfth session in Bouak6, Cote d'Ivoire, from 25 February to I March l99l under the chairmanship of Dr C. Leveque. Immediately after the closure of the formal session the chairman and two other members of the Ecological Group made a field visit to monitoring sites in Sierra Leone (see section G). 2. The session was opened by Dr D. Quillever6, on behalf of the Programme Director, Dr E.M. Samba, who was unfortunately unable to attend due to other important commitments. A warm welcome was extended to Group Members who were also thanked on behalf of the Programme Director for their continued participation and support. Staff of Bouake Sector and of the Insecticide Research Unit were also thanked for the excellent arrangements made at short notice to host the session in Bouake. Liss of participants and of working documents are presented in appendices I and 2, respectively. B. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 3. The agenda, as presented in the contents list of this report, was adopted. C. REPORT ON VECTOR CONTROL OPERATIONS (a) Ooerations and entomoloeical situation 4. The Chief of the Vector Control Unit (VCU) reviewed vector control operations and the entomological results obtained during 1990. The most important points noted by the Group were: - cessation of larviciding in about 70 % of the original OCP area, no larviciding operations in the northern part of the western extension area (affecting Senegal, Western Mali, Guinea-Bissau and Western Guinea), overall, about 2,000 km of rivers treated in the dry season (up to the end of 1990), involving mainly B.t. H-14 treatments but with some carbosulfan on the lower Bandama at relatively high discharge rates and/or to deal with complex breeding sites, overall, some 20,000 km of rivers treated in the wet season (mid 1990), with appreciable use of temephos in the western extension and with maximal rotation of six operational larvicides, cessation of larviciding operations in the upper Como6/t6raba basin and in the upper Bandama basin, transmission effectively controlled during the dry season, but sometimes not so effectively controlled during the wet season, - absence of reinvasion in the West for the second year running (result of effective vector control in Sierra Leone), but some infiltration of flies in the East from untreated rivers in Nigeria. 5. The Group was informed that in l99l efforts would be made to seasonally eradicate Simulium soubrense B (the efficient vector of blinding oncho in Sierra Leone) from the larger rivers of southern Sierra Leone. There would also be an intensification of larviciding in some upland areas of the western extension with a view to suppressing populations of S. yahense and S. sEtarnosum (Sassandra, Kourai, JPCl2.3 (ocP/EAc /9t.t) page 30 Annex I Milo, Niandan and Mono river systems in Guinea and Sierra Leone). In the Original OCP area, post- oncho control studies would be conducted to check that despite the return of blackflies, transmission of onchocerciasis was non-existent or negligible. Other areas where it would soon be possible to cease larviciding operations were also receiving considerable attention by entomological and epidemiological staff. (b) Rotational use of larvicides 6. The Group was informed that in the central OCP area rainfall during 1990 had been appreciably less than in 1989. Further west, rainfall for both years was much the same. Because rainfall was low during I990 a classical rotation strategy was systematically applied, involving six larvicides (temephos, phoxim 50%, pyraclofos, carbosulfan, permethrin and B.r. H-14). The objectives of the strategy, as presented in tabular form in Fig. l, where to control resistance (and therefore prolong the working life of the various compounds), to reduce the risks of primary impact on aquatic non-target organisms, and to obtain the optimal cost/efficiency ratio for aerial operations. 7. It was explained to the Group that, with the exhaustion of the last stocks of chlorphoxim, an important gap had been created in the Programme's arsenal of larvicides. This problem had been partly overcome by: - increased use of B.t H-14 at river discharges of 15-50 m3ls, increased use of temephos until such time that resistance appeared and had to be neutralized by B.t. H-14, increased use of permethrin at peak river discharg,es, even though overall consumption of this compound was less than in l9E9 (see also para 8 below), - introduction of pyraclofos, which had given excellent results especially with regard to the treatment of large and complex breeding sites. 8. The Group was very concerned that, in some cases, its I990 recommendation to limit permethrin applications to a maximum of six consecutive cycles had been exceeded; some rivers having received 8 or 9 consecutive cycles. However, the Group was to some extent reassured to learn that in situations where it had been realistic to do so, a new modification of the classical rotation strategy had been introduced. The essence of this new strategy was to interrupt the permethrin cycles with a few cycles of temephos, with a view to softening the environmental impact of permethrin and reducing the chances of resistance developing. A good example of this was the R. Dion at Baranama where the following sequence was used from June to November; B.t H- 14 - temephos - permethrin - temephos - treatment suspension - permethrin - temephos - permethrin - temephos - permethrin - temephos. 9. The Group was pleased to learn that henceforth and as greater quantities of pyraclofos and phoxim became available, permethrin use would be considerably reduced. Be that as it may, the Group strongly recommended that OCP staff conduct a detailed reassessment of the synthetic pyrethroids and related compounds, with the objective of identifying potential operational larvicides Saving a wider safety margin for non-target fauna than that of permethrin, and which would be approlriate for applilation at river discharges in the l5-70m37s tange. (c) Insecticide resistance 10. Recognizing that combatting insecticide resistance was an important justification for actively searchinglor nJ* hrvicides, the Group was pleased to receive a brief up-to-date report on the resistance situation. JPCl2.3 (ocP/EAC /et.t) page 3l Annex I I l. The Group was informed that 4049 resistance tests had been conducted between 1980 and 1990 and that all the data collected since I986 had been computerized to facilitate their analyses and the interpretation of the resistance problem as a whole. In recent months there had been increased testing of permethrin and carbosulfan. Tests with phoxim had also commenced. 12. Strong (permanent) resistance to temephos was still an important feature of vector populations of the rivers of southern Cote d'Ivoire. Scattered seasonal foci of fluctuating resistance also occurred in treated rivers of the upper Niger Basin (Guinea) and of Sierra Leone, and, in untreated rivers in Mali, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. Resistance to chlorphoxim was most intense in areas where there was strong temephos resistance, but also occurred in some untreated rivers of the western extension. Although phoxim had been introduced only recently, resistance to this compound had been recorded in a few rivers where chlorphoxim resistance occurred. D. SEARCH FOR NE}V LARVICIDES (a) Screenins of new 8.r. H-14 formulations 13. The Group was informed that a new B.t. H-14 formulation had been received from Becker Microbial Products (BMP) for evaluation against S. donnosum. This formulation had a very high titer against mosquitoes, but showed low activity against blackflies. Solvay had submitted several successive los of experimental formulations. The first lot, received in 1989, was extremely potent(about l0X current formulations), and Solvay was now trying to produce the same level of activity using industrial processes. Initial series of samples had a low activity, but the latest ones reached the toxicity level of current operational formulations, with one formulation equal to 2X the current level. 14. Collaboration with Abbott for the improvement of B.r. H-14 formulations had been pursued. Technical powders produced by Abbott and used by them as standards were tested by IRU and proven to be equivalent to the IPS82 standard used by OCP, showing that results from Abbott and OCP were comparable. Abbott had promoted the development of a bioassay system based on a new principle; this system was still under development but was expected to be operational shortly. Otherwise quality assessment of operational Vectobac l2AS lots had been continued by the IRU; the level of activity was confirmed for all lots tested. Initial problems witnessed in the EOA were attributed to prolonged storage in the field, and measures were now taken to improve the turnover of field stocks. 15. Dr Armelle Del6cluze (Laboratory of Dr Rapoport, Institut Pasteur) had engineered strains of B.t. H-14 that produce individual toxins of the mixture normally produced by B.t. H-t4. Arrangements were being made for the testing in self-enclosed systems of these strains by IRU. The objective of these tests was to identify the relative activities of the individual toxins against blackfly larvae; eventually this might allow new methods of potency assessment, more readily accessible than field bioassays. (b) Screenine of new chemical insecticides and formulations 16. lilith regard to chemical insecticides, it was explained to the Group that during 1990 high priority had been accorded to phoxim as a replacement for chlorphoxim. Two new formulations of phoxim (25EC & 40EC) had been submitted by Bayer; they proved equivalent in troughs, but considering the rather low activity of phoxim compared to chlorphoxim, only the 40EC formulation was retained for further evaluation in rivers. The current 50EC commercial formulation was also re- evaluated since it was more readily available. River experiments with 40EC phoxim in \testern Mali (Bakoye River) showed that the operational dose would be at least 80 me/L/s (0.2L 4OEC per m37s; with a rather poor carry of 4 km for a river discharge of 50 m3ls. Later tests with the 50EC formulation in Burkina Faso (Volta Noire and Bougouriba Rivers) and in C6te d'Ivoire (Nzo River) showed better performance with an effective carry of more than 5 km at a dose of E0 mgll/s (0.16L 50EC per m3/s). These results confirm the choice of the 50 EC formulation to replace chlorphoxim in 1991. JPCI2.3 (ocP/EAc /9t.1, page 32 Annex I 17. The screening calendar of IRU for river tests was altered in 1990 by the priority given to phoxim formulations and the delays in delivery to OCP of these formulations. Nevertheless river evaluations of a new 20% micro-emulsion of carbosulfan (provided by FMC) was made on the lower Como6 River. Carry results showed that this formulation was at least as efficient as the current EC formulation. Further tests were needed for a definitive assessment of the carry of the micro- emulsion. The availability of suitable rivers for experimental applications had become a problem with the advent of year-round treatments in Guinea and Sierra Leone; therefore extensive prospections were made towards the end of 1990 to examine the potential of rivers of the initial area of the Programme where treatments had ceased. 18. Six new insecticides were screened during 1990. OMS 3050 (a pyrethroid from ICI) showed low activity in troughs and in susceptibility tests done with fresh solutions, with a large proportion of moribund larvae, even at high concentrations. Two aged daughter solutions showed, on the contrary, high activity and this phenomenon was currently being investigated. OMS 3051 (betacyfluthrin, a pyrethroid from Bayer) was a very potent larvicide for S. damnoszrm s.1., but iS impact on non-target organisms remained to be assessed. OMS 3052 (an organophosphate also from Bayer) was rejected because of its low activity (4 times less than temephos). OMS 3054, submitted to \YHOPES by Hoechst, belongs to a new group of insecticides; samples have not been received yet but the potential of this compound may be low because of a juvenoid-type mode of action, although there are indications that it would also act on young larvae. Other juvenoid compounds were rejected in the past partly because they would act only on mature larvae. OMS 3055 (group of aralkyl-silan compounds) was also submitted by Hoechst. It was 15 to l00X less active than permethrin, but the evaluation of the 3 formulations received by IRU was still underway. River tests would be necessary to fully assess the potential of this compound. Finally, OMS 3056 (2-*yl triazole group) was recently submitted by Camco, and the initial tests were currently underway. (c) Orientation of research at IRU 19. The Group was reminded that with chlorphoxim no longer available to the Programme an operational gap had developed in the strategy of insecticide rotation for rivers of intermediate discharge, especially in areas of temephos resistance where neither permethrin, carbosulfan nor B.r. H-14 could be used (see para 7). Consequently, the only choices available to the Programme were two organophosphorous compounds, pyraclofos and phoxim (see Fig. l). Unfortunately, their use in the context of resistance would present some risks. Furthermore, the cost of using these compounds would be high (pyraclofos was expensive and phoxim had a low carry performance). 20. The Group complimented Programme staff on initiatives taken to launch complimentary inves- tigations designed to increase the efficiency of larviciding operations. This applied particularly to: - the further improvement of the standardization of bioassay protocols and data analysis; - an elucidation of the effects of pyperonyl butoxide as a synergist of phoxim in areas of phoxim/chlorphoxim resistance; - the optimization of control operations through river discharge modelling (especially with regard to plans to integrate river basins from Guinea and the eastern operational area into thi databank already established for Cote d'Ivoire); - the preparation of a technical manual on ground treatments (primarily intended for OCP staff but of potential interest to Participating Countries within the context of devolution); the establishment of a compendium of insecticides tested by the OCP/IRU to serve as a basis for the assessment of fate in the environment, using the QSAR theory promoted by a Group Member during the Group's eleventh session. JPCt2.3(ocP/EAC/et.t) page 33 Annex I 21. The Group recommended that the Programme continue, undiminished, its search for new insecticides and formulations and, that the optimization of larviciding operations be further refined and expanded. (d) Impact of B.t. H-14 on aouatic fauna 22. It was reported to the Group that further observations had reconfirmed the safety of B.t. H-14 for aquatic non-target organisms. When applied at ten times the normal dosage, there was very little impact except on species of Chironomidae. Even so, the detachment of Chironomidae was less than 20 per cent. The Group agreed that it was very useful for the Programme to have this information, but considered that it was not necessary to conduct further impact studies on B.t H-14. (e) Imoact of ovraclofos on aouatic fauna 23. The Group was presented with the results of studies on pyraclofos which had been conducted since 1988, mainly in the R. Marahou6, Cote d'Ivoire. 24. It was noted that in January l99l non-target organisms were much more abundant than in previous months, especially in December 1990. Species of Tricorythidae were also recorded in Surber samples in January l99l - the first time since 1988. Although all the results obtained were very encouraging, some had been difficult to interpret, possibly as a result of local fishermen using fish poisons in the study area during the latter part of 1990. 25. The Group concluded that the impact of pyraclofos on non-target organisms was very similar to that of chlorphoxim and quite acceptable. The Group therefore restated the recommendation of its 1990 session that pyraclofos be used as an operational larvicide; this reconfirmation being based on the results of additional monitoring activities conducted over the last year. (f) Imoact of ohoxim on aouatic fauna 26. The Group noted that, although early studies had demonstrated that phoxim could adversely affect many fish species if applied at high dosage, the latest series of studies had not demonstrated any apparent impact on fish. However, the Group considered it prudent to continue observations on fish, even though there was no cause for concern about fish safety at the dosages normally used in the Programme. 27. The Group recommended that phoxim be used as an operational larvicide to replace chlorphoxim. This decision was based on an examination of the physico-chemical parameters of phoxim, on fish toxicity data contained in the literature, on an assessment of its mode of action and on the results of studies conducted previously by the OCP, all of which suggested that the behaviour of phoxim in the aquatic environment should not be significantly different from that of chlorphoxim. The results of mini-gutter experiments had confirmed the soundness of this decision, even suggesting that the specific impact of phoxim on invertebrates was less than that of chlorphoxim (see Fig. 2). E. REPORT ON THE JOrNT WHO/PESTTCTDE TNDUSTRY CONSULTATTON, GENEVA, JUNE 1990 28. The Group was informed that this meeting was intended as a follow-up to the one held in 1983. Major companies were represented individually at the meeting but the official entity rcprosenting them was GIFAP (International Group of National Associations of Agrochemical Manufacturers). The GIFAP had set up several 'Resistance Action Committees', the role of which was to promote the prolongation of the useful life of pesticides. Nineteen presentations were scheduled during the meeting, including one about OCP, one about WHOPES, and another about the liaison between JPCI2.3(ocP/EAc/et.t) page 34 Annex I industry and IVHO. Unfortunately the schedule was very tight, with very few periods of free discussion in or out of the meeting room; because of that, direct contacts with the industry representatives were limited. Of interest was the presentation by Dr J. Goose on behalf of GIFAP; it was first requested from WHO that greater attention be paid to resistance management; secondly, Dr Goose mentioned past statements by WHO that governmens and aid organizations should reduce their reliance on insecticides for disease control, which was not stimulating for the production of new compounds by the Industry. These remarks apply to WHO in general, and not to OCP, which received praise during the meeting for its achievements and attitudes. It is worthy of mention that OCP accounts for 75% of all insecticides used by WHO. 29. An area of concern was the status of WHOPES, which was set up in 1980/82 for the registration by WHO of new candidate compounds for vector control. Rearrangements in WHO/Geneva and the retirement last December of Dr Quelennec made Industry representatives wonder about the continuation of efficient links between the Industry, WHO and OCP. It seemed obvious that the impact of 1VHOPES had diminished over the last years, as IVHO codes were often no longer listed in pesticide reference manuals or scientific articles. Tight links with the Industry were essential for the continuity of OCP's success, as Industry alone could ensure the availability of efficient and acceptable larvicides until the Programme had achieved is goals. Following the visit of Dr N. Gratz to the Insecticide Research Unit in February 1991, the Programme proposed to issue a booklet about IRU/OCP; is past achievements, its current potential screening for new insecticides, and the requirements for acceptable new blackfly larvicides. The objective of this booklet would be to widely advertise OCP activities and to state clearly what the Programme needed from Industry. 30. The Group appreciated receiving this information on the Pesticide Industry and pointed out that, with Industry's current emphasis on herbicides, it was unlikely that many new insecticides would come on to the market. Industrial chemiss would continue to give priority to existing insecticide molecules and modifications to them, but would not make big investments in new compounds. F. REPORT ON AQUATIC MONITORING ACTTVTTTES (a) Annual Meetinq of Hvdrobioloeists 31. The Annual Meeting of Hydrobiologists responsible for aquatic monitoring throughout the Programme area was held in Bouak6 during 2l-22 February 1991. The meeting was chaired by Dr C. Leveque and attended by representatives of the OCP, of the national hydrobiology teams of Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Mali, and of ORSTOM. 32. After reviewing the national monitoring reports the Group concluded that there had been a further increase in the level of competence of the staff concerned. Obviously, monitoring data had been analysed rapidly and correctly which had facilitated the timely submission of reports. It was also evident that over the last year national teams had been better supplied with data from the OCP Hydrobiology Unit, together with equipment and supplies. 33. The Group was pleased to note that basic invertebrate identifications were now being conducted by national hydrobiologists in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana, and that a reference collections of drift and Surber samples had been established in OCP/HQ. The Group also noted that all but one of is recommendations of 1990 had been implemented. The exception concerned the choice of monitoring sites in western Guinea, which was still under investigation. Even so, Guinea hydrobiologists were already in a position to propose that a monitoring site be established on the R. Makona (a forest river) which would soon be brought under insecticide treatment. They also expected that they would soon initiate a study on the duration of larval life of Tricorythidae. JPCta.3(ocP/EAc /9t.t) page 35 Annex I 34. The Group was pleased to receive from national hydrobiologiss suggestions for improving their own efficiency and that of the aquatic monitoring programmes, notably: (i) for them to receive training and documentations on the various statistical methods required for the analysis of monitoring data; (ii) to make a study on the impact of bioresmethrin on fish and invertebrates (including crustaceans); (iii) to re-evaluate the fish monitoring data with a view to differentiating the individual impacts of larviciding, dam construction and hydrobiological cycles; (iv) for them to receive curves of numbers, weights and species richness from each monitoring station since the beginning of monitoring activities, to enable them to make predictive analyses and to assess current situations in relation to trends during previous years; (v) to continue monitoring of the R. Baoule at Missira (Mali) even though no larviciding operations are planned; (vi) to hold an annual workshop during which a particular aspect of monitoring could be addressed in depth. 35. The Group's response to these issues were the following: (i) as a first measure the Group suggested that standard texs on the statistical aspects of river ecology be provided to the national teams. One such book was'Some methods for the statistical analysis of samples of benthic invertebrates', Freshwater Biological Association(U.K.) Scientific Publication No 25, 1969, by J.M. Elliot, which was also available in French ('Guide pour I'analyse statistique des 6chantillons d'invert6bres benthiques,'1\g!L limnol.9 (2), 1973, pages 79-t20, par J.M. Elliot et H. Decamps). See also section (vi) below; (ii) a field evaluation of bioresmethrin was not necessary considering the Group's recommendation for a complete reassessment of all pyrethroids and related compounds (see para 9); (iii) (iv) agreement that fish monitoring data be re-evaluated; agreement that national teams be provided with curves of numbers, weights and species richness; (v) agreement to continue monitoring at Missiri to evaluate the impact of local fishing practices; (vi) the Group recommended that during the next Annual Meeting of Hydrobiologists two days be set aside to provide national hydrobiologists with instruction on basic statistics appropriate to the analysis of biological data. After receiving theoretical instruction in basic statistical analysis (calculation of means, standard deviation, variance, simple regression, etc) the hydrobiologiss would participate in practical exercises dealing with more advanced statistical methods, e.g. correspondence factorial analysis. The Group also recommended that thereafter, the Annual Meetings of Hydrobiologists and the sessions of the Ecological Group be overlapped to allow Group Members to provide national hydrobiologiss and OCP staff with lectures on specialized aspects of insecticides and their behaviour in the aquatic environment. In 1992 lectures of this type (on environmental toxicology, for example) could be linked to instructions on statistics as proposed in the previous recommendation. JPCr2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page 36 Annex I 36. The Group endorsed a suggestion made by the OCP Hydrobiologist that, in future, national hydrobiologists present their monitoring results in relation to hydrograms and graphs showing the sequence of larvicide utilizatiEn, in order to facilitate their interpretation. (b) Activities of the Proeramme team 37. Once again the Group expressed its satisfaction with the way in which the OCP Hydrobiology Team had monitored invertebrate fauna of rivers in Cote d'[voire, Ghana, Mali and Togo, and, with the results obtained. 38. The Group was informed that as in previous years the Entomokro monitoring site on the R. Marahour! (Cote d'Ivoire) had been disturbed by what was believed to be industrial pollution. This problem had been most severe in February l99l and had made it extremely difficult to interpret the monitoring data. 39. The Group complimented the Team on the monitoring data year-books for 1990 and on its activities both in the Original OCP area and in the western extension (see Section G, below). 40. \Yhile noting further improvements in the storage and handling of monitoring data, the Group recommended that the Programme's database be upgraded and that the computer programmes be completely refined by a suitably experienced programmer (a consultant working with Programme staff) to make them more user- friendly. The Group also recommended that, when this revision had been completed, standard deviations (SD) be routinely provided with each set of mean values calculated from invertebrate drift and Surber samples. 41. The Group recommended that, as soon as possible, one of its members visit the University of Salford to recover part of the monitoring database which had been processed by an independant statistician. On receipt of this data, together with any river discharge correlations which may have been made, Programme staff should further clean it, if necessary, and then use it to prepare an appropriate yearbook, by July 1991. G. MONITORING ACTIVITIES IN THE WESTERN EXTENSION (a) Routine monitorine and survevs 42. The Group was informed that the OCP Hydrobiology Team had once again been responsible for the routine monitoring of rivers in Sierra Leone. At most of the monitoring sites there had been good correlations between the results obtained from daytime drift samples and from Surber samples, cspecially with regard to the relative abundance of the different invertebrate taxa. 43. In addition to these monitoring activities, stretches of the rivers Mongo, Kaba and Jong, Sierra Leone, were surveyed to select appropriate sites for monitoring benthic fauna. During these surveys studies were conducted on day and night drift and on saxicolous (riffle) fauna. The resuls indicated that Magbafat on the R. Kaba and lVulai on the R. Jong provided the most interesting entomofauna for further monitoring. (b) Visit of Ecolosical Grouo Members to monitorine sites in Sierra Leone 44. During the period 2-6 March l99l three members of the Ecological Group, accompanied by two OCP staff members, visited the most important drainage basins in Sierra Leone, including three monitoring stations, to assess the potential impacs on river water quality and lotic biota of factors other than the Programme's larviciding. A total of nine sites were sampled on rivers in five different basins covering the western, central and eastern pars of the country. Five of the sites were under larvicide treatments and four were not, these latter serving as potential refugia systems for recolonization by non-target fauna. JPCr2.3(ocP/EAc/9t.t) pa$e 37 Annex I 45. Group members obtained a first impression that many traditional sources of pollution were absent or of scarce relevance in the area they visited (covered predominantly by forest-savanna mosaic vegetation types). Being a predominantly agricultural area (with much dependance on tree crops) with virtually no industrial development, one could expect a very limited use of pesticides. 46. In contrast, it was concluded that human pressure on water resources was relevant in terms of the organic matter load of the rivers (sewage, laundry and hygienic practices). This applied particularly to small rivers and the bays of some large rivers which were easily accessible, where signs of eutrophication were evident in some cases. However as such phenomena were attributable to point source disturbance, they had limited spatial influence. Thus special care needed to be taken by OCP staff in selecting hydrobiological monitoring stations in order to avoid difficulties in data interpretation. 47. It was also apparent that the major impacting factors of Sierra Leone rivers were physical and closely related to human activities. Extensive gold and diamond mining activities were resulting in greatly increased transportation of suspended solids and accelerated rates of siltation, both of which would certainly lead to direct acute and chronic effects on aquatic fauna and habitat structure. In addition, the cutting down of trees, especially in gallery forests, had obvioulsy led to increased river water temperature and river bank erosion. These had caused changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of the rivers and modifications of both aquatic and terrestrial biota. Unfortunately, both these types of physical impact, due to their intrinsic characteristics, could involve long stretches of some of the rivers, but, during such a short visit it was not possible to estimate the described phenomena in quantitative terms. Nor was it possible to define their geographic extent, nor to identify other types of river pollution problems that might be relevant to the evaluation of the impact of OCP's larviciding operations. 48. One member of the Ecological Group made l-2 hour qualitative collections of benthic invertebrates at eight of the sites visited, with special emphasis being placed on Tricorythidae(mayflies) and Leptoceridae (caddisflies). With the exception of the R. Tingi site, drift collections were also made. These were of I -2 hours duration except in the case of the R. Sewa at Njaiama Sewafe which was of 8 hours duration. The major use of the drift samples will be for the evaluation of midges (Chironomidae, pupal exuviae). 49. A summary of the observations made on invertebrates is presented in Appendix 3. In general the four untreated sites had a much more diverse invertebrate fauna (including Tricorythidae and, at three of the sites, Leptoceridae) than the five treated sites. The situation with regard to the possible effects of larvicides on non-target fauna was confounded by the heavy mining activities in many of the rivers. For example, when an untreated site such as the R. Bankasoka, in the West which had heavy human use (bathing and laundry), was compared to the Gbobora site in the East, where there was significant mining disturbance, the former was much more faunistically diverse than the latter. In all the sites rated as faunistically poor, there were few Ephemeroptera in general, and very few Tricorythidae in particular. 50. This invertebrate survey, although admittedly cursory, clearly indicated the potential importance of untreated streams and rivers as refugia in providing sources of recolonization by non-target fauna. 5I. The chairman of the Ecological Group made several collections of fish (by cast-net and gill-net) at sites visited in the Jong and Sewa basins, and also took note of the species of fish caught by local professional fishermen. On the basis of the data collected it was possible to draw the following conclusions: that the fish fauna was comparable to that existing in the eastern part of Guinea, with species being generally very different from those found in the Original OCP area and in other parts of thewesternextension(Ichthyborus Etodrilineous, Mormyus tapirus tndPayyocrous after being some of the interesting species found in Sierra Leone); IPCIZ.3 (ocP/EAc /9t.t) paSe 3E Annex I that many fish species of small size were present and abundant in the principal treated watercourses; that among the species caught by local fishermen there were individual specimens having a generally good appearance. 52. lt was therefore concluded that, up to now, larvicide treatments have not apparently had any drastic effects on the ichthyofauna, neither had disturbances associated with the exploitation of sedimens for the extraction of gold. H. ANALYSIS OF AQUATIC MONITORING DRIFT DATA 53. The Group recalled that several analyses of drift data had been conducted to date by Dr C. Fairhurst and Dr J.-M. Elouard, and, more recently by two consultants, Dr B. Cellot and Dr B. Hugueny (January-Febyaury, l99l). These analyses had provided the basis for initial evaluations of long-term (1976-1990) data sets of day and night invertebrate drift in selected river basins of the Programme area (R. Marahoue at Danangoro and Entomokro, and R. Niandan at Sassambaya). They had been quite useful and some suggestions and recommendations could now be made concerning the interpretation and importance of the data relevant to evaluations of the effects of larviciding on the non-target invertebrate fauna of the Programme area. These are considered separately below. (a) Imoroved comouter software 54. The Group considered that there was a growing need for the development of computer software to allow specific (as well as mean) data to be accessed, extracted and manipulated efficiently and according to flexible, user-determined categories, e.g. sample sets and their variances from a given sampling site on a given date by total and selected taxa, and, various higher level combinations of sites, dates and taxa. Depending upon the type of software developed, further efficient analysis of the subjects discussed below should also be possible. 55. The Group therefore recommended that the Programme engage a consultant to spend approximately one month working in Ouagadougou with the OCP hydrobiologist to develop the appropriate user-directed software necessary to allow efficient manipulation of the drift data. (b) Comoarative value of benthos and drift data 56. The Group agreed that a closer comparison needed to be made between the benthos (Surber) and drift (day and night) data to clearly determine if the latter provide estimates and insights which are not predicted by the former. For example, not all taxa, nor age classes within taxa, have the same propensity to drift under undisturbed (in refugia sites) and disturbed (in treated sites) conditions. Thus although the availability of taxa to appear in the drift may be well predicted by their presence in the benthos (Surber), whether or not they actually appear in the drift as a result of disturbance, clearly cannot be predicted. 57. The Group therefore recommended that invertebrate taxa be selected for further analysis of drift data based on predictions of their propensity to drift (i.e. behavioural versus accidental drifters such as the Baetidae). A list should be compiled by the OCP hydrobiologist using his expertise and in consuttation with a member of the Group, and with additional advice from other experts as available. 5E. The Group also tggglq4ndgd that, using selected invertcbrate taxa, categorizcd as bchavioural versus accidental driiters, several ratios should be examined for the data sets from the sampling sites previously analysed by the consultants B. Cellot and B. Hugueny. Thus, using the Baetidae as an Lxample, a combarison of benthos to drift could be made on the basis of, % Baetidae in drift (total day and-night)/ % Baetidae (or compared at the generic level) in Surber (predicted increase with disturbance, i.e. reduced prediction of drift from benthos). JPCt2.3(ocP/EAC l9t.t) page 39 Annex I (c) Comparison of dav and nieht drift 59. The Group likewise considered that the relationship between day and night drift needed to be examined in the light of those taxa which exhibit behavioural drift (regular daily patterns) and those that are primarily accidental drifters (stochastic patterns). For example, those taxa showing statistically significant increases in night over day drift, e.g. Baetidae, are most likely to be in the behavioural category and to be shifted to a stochastic pattern under conditions of disturbance. In contrast, those taxa which are accidental drifters, e.g. many Tanypodinae and most Coleoptera, are likely to exhibit increased stochastic drift in all samples under conditions of disturbance. 60. The Group therefore recommended that a comparison between day and night drift, in terms of accidental and behavioural drifters, be made on the basis of % Baetidae in day drift/% Baetidae (or compared at the generic level) in night drift (predicted increase with increased disturbance due to pesticide treatment). (d) Relationshio between river discharee and drift 61. The Group recommended that, in relation to its earlier recommendation on drift, the background relationship between river discharge (Q) and patterns of day and night drift, both seasonally (monthly Qr"*)and annually (annual Q."r),be evaluated by simple correlation analysis of selected behavioural and accidental drift taxa. (e) Taxonomv 62. ln accordance with the continuing need for an increased level of taxonomic resolution for the non-target invertebrate groups, the Group recommended that a two-part research project be initiated. 63. The first part should be concerned with the analysis of Chironomidae based on collections of pupal exuviae taken in normal drift sampling, as well as from other special collections, e.g. those made by Group members and OCP staff. 64. The second part should involve additional collections of Leptoceridae (Trichoptera) from sites treated by the Programme and from untreated tributary streams. These samples should be specifically related to the gallery forest vegetation. The Leptoceridae represent a group of shredders that can serve as indicators of the avaitability of suitable river-side terrestrial vegetation, the litter of which constitutes their predominant food supply as well as material for case building. The group is taxonomically tractable, consisting of less than l0 species over most of the Programme area, but species are not normally collected as part of the drift (occasional accidental drifters) or the riffle Surber samples. The study of this group and the relationship of its component species to various types of river-side terrestrial vegetation might most logically constitute a graduate student research project. See also paraTl, subsection (iii). (f) Processine of drift samoles 65. Noting that the processing of drift samples was a laborious and time- consuming undertaking, the Group recommended that some initial trials be made with selected day drift samples comparing the time and efficiency of sorting with and without the addition of fluorescing vital stains (fluorescing under short wave-length lighting). JPCl2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page 40 Annex I I. THE KOEMAN/DEJOUX REPORT (a) Introduction 66. The Group reviewed the Koeman/Dejoux report, recalling that the mission of Professor J.H. Koeman and Dr C. Dejoux was an initiative of The Netherlands Government relating to new developments in aid priorities, which was agreed to by the Programme Director in December 1989. The mission had visited the Programme area in February 1990 with the major objective of identifying priorities for further research and monitoring with regard to the possible primary and secondary impact of the Programme. 67 . lt was also recalled that the mission had held discussions with the Programme Director and his staff and had visited several institutions concerned with environmental management and development programmes in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Togo. In addition, the mission had visited a number of projects and discussed is preliminary findings with the Ecological Group during its llth session. (b) Secondarv imoact of the Proeramme 6E. The mission's views on the possible secondary impact of the Programme were summarized as follows: (i) "The mission concludes, that the condition of the West African environment is deteriorating quickly, but as elsewhere in the world there are marked regional differences, both within and among countries.' (ii) 'OCP does not bear direct responsibility for the possible secondary impact of the programme on the environment. OCP controls the disease and the countries are responsible for developments afterwards.' (iii) 'It should be stressed, that onchocerciasis control has not been the only factor, which has given rise to the settlement of areas which were previously unoccupied. Studies by Hervouet (1985, 1990) show, that the relationship between the elimination of the disease on the one hand and the establishment of new settlements on the other are not necessarily correlated in a causal sense. Other variables are climatic change, political and socio-economic developments, cultural factors and other diseases.' (iv) 'The mission believes, that OCP has markedly accelerated the socio-economic developments in certain areas, especially in regions with organized or integrated settlements, but also, though to a minor extent, in areas of uncontrolled settlement.' (v) "OCP is a good example of a programme in which the possible environmental consequences formed a matter of consideration since the beginning of the operations. However, there are still many other ongoing programmes with narrow objectives and without inbuilt concern for the environment.' 69. The Group underlined that for several years it had been fully aware of these and many other secondary environmental issues and problems. The Programme Director and his staff, the Sponsoring Agencies and the Donors were equally aware of them. However, the Group was also obliged to stress thit, however important these matters might be, it was beyond the mandate and the competence of the broup and of the Programme staff to address them. Basic information on the many aspecs of secondary environmental problems was generally lacking. Thus, many varied studies would have to be initiaied and these would require inputs from other environmental specialists with expertize in subjecS which were not within the competence of Ecological Group members. JPCl2.3 (ocP/EAc /9t.t) page 4l Annex I 70. The Group was aware that during its llth session the JPC had encouraged the Committee of Sponsoring Agencies (CSA) to give greater attention to the broader environmental aspects of resettlement, development and land resource management. In this context the CSA would review the Koeman/Dejoux report and have discussions with Professor Koeman during its 48th session, in April 1991, to clarify its future role with regard to the West African environment. \Uhen that had been done, the Group would be very pleased to offer advice to the CSA, on the basis of its own experiences, and suggest areas for which good data were available, which could be exploited for settlement/development activities, involving water resources development, management and protection. (c) Primarv impact of the Prosramme 71. The Group reviewed the mission's recommendations for the strengthening of the Programme's aquatic monitoring activities, for additional research and for the training of national staff, some of which had been discussed with the Group during its llth session. Summaries of the Group's discussions on the mission's five recommendations on further research and monitoring are presented separately below: (i) Studv on the basic ohvsico-chemical characteristics of rivers in OCP countries. The Group agreed that high priority be accorded to such a study because of the direct relevance of the results to water resource development, management and conservation. Some studies had been conducted in widely dispersed areas, but the results had not been given wide distribution. The Group concluded that the data should be assembled and analysed. It also stressed that studies on basic physico-chemical charateristics of OCP rivers were necessary in order to improve models for assessing carrying capacity, and, the distribution and fate of pesticides utilized by the Programme. (ii) Investieations of the role of non-ooint sources of oesticides on river oollution. includine an inventorv of aericultural oesticides and other chemical discharees. The Group stressed that these were mammoth tasks. If reliable data on pollution could be assembled they could be very useful to OCP staff concerned with the monitoring of larvicide resistance. With regard to a pesticide inventory, the Group recalled that in 1984 OCP staff had made an attempt to collect the necessary data, but had experienced great difficulty in obtaining it. The Group also stressed that even if a complete inventory of pesticides could be assembled, such a work would have the major limitation of not being able to specify where the different pesticides were used or at what dosages. (iii) Studies to imorove the taxonomv and ecoloev of freshwater invertebrates. The Group agreed that these were topics deserving high priority attention. Considerable progress had been made by scientists working for the Programme and in other institutions and universities, but much remained to be done. Thus, in accordance with the continuing need for an increased level of taxonomic resolution for the non-target groups, the Group put forward a specific research proposal, details of which are given in paras 63 and 64. (iv) Studv on the feedine behaviour and stomach contents of fish. The Group noted that some investigations had already been conducted, but did not consider that additional studies were of high priority. lVithout having good data on fish biomass it was difficult to understand the usefulness of collecting additional information on fish feeding behaviour. However, should the Programme deem it necessary to resume such studies, a standard protocol was now available for guidance (see Doc. OCP/VCU/HYBIO/91.3 in Appendix 2). (v) Studies of aouatic refueia. During is eleventh session the Group had recommended that studies of this nature be conducted (see Appendix 3 of E.G.l I Report). It therefore did not hesitate to restate its earlier recommendation for such studies and revised its suggestions for how they should be conducted (see Appendix 4). JPCI2.3(ocP/EAc /9t.t) page 42 Annex I 72. ln conclusion, the Group recommended that, as follow-up to the Koeman- Dejoux report, one of is members be charged with elaborating a project proposal covering research activities additional to the Programme's routine monitoring and related research activities, such as physico-chemical analysis of water samples, studies of refugia, and studies of the influence of gallery forest vegetation on lotic communities. These additional research studies could be implemented through collaborative programmes between the OCP and other institutions, and submitted to the EEC research programme with a request for funding. J. FOLLOW-UP ON EG.l1 RECOMMENDATIONS 73. The Group noted with appreciation the progress made in the implementation of the 15 recommendations made during its I lth session. Summaries of follow-up action taken are given below: Rec._L: Efforts to develop improved B.t. H-14 formulations had been intensified. Rec2: An OCP/VCU staff member had attended the joint WHO/Pesticide Industry Consultation held in Geneva in June 1990. Reg*3: &d: BesS: Bec.6: RecJ: Pyraclofos was now a fully operational larvicide. Increased support had been provided to national hydrobiology teams. A description of the Elouard and Simier index for evaluating changes in community structure was being prepared for publication. A revised protocol for collecting drift samples had been drafted. Drift data had recently been analysed by two consultants. Consultants had been recruited to assess analytical methods. Two additional monitoring stations had been selected in Sierra Leone (Rivers Moa and Teye). The impact of pyraclofos had been monitored in Ghana. Two fish biologists and two invertebrate biologisb from Sierra Leone had been trained in Ghana and at OCP/HQ, Ouagadougou. RecS: Compilation and analysis of monitoring data was being done in Ouagadougou, although some data were still stored at the University of Salford (see Rec.9, below). BgS.2: Arrangements had been made for a Group member to visit the University of Salford to arrange for monitoring data to be transferred to the Ouagadougou databank. Rec.l0: Rec.l l: Rec.I2: The presence or abscnce of crustaceans was now being routinely recorded for the monitoring sites in Sierra Leone. Rec.l3: Rec.l4 Rec.l5 A list of insecticides tested in OCP had been prepared. JPCl2.3(ocP/EAc /9t.t) pa$e 43 Annex I K. FOLLOW.UP ON PUBLICATIONS 74. The Group was pleased to note the progress made in the publication of hydrobiological data by OCP staff and their collaborators. Full details are provided in Appendix 5. L. WORK PROGRAMME FOR l99t/1992 75. The Group reviewed proposals for routine monitoring of fish and invertbrate populations and endorsed the monitoring schedules for the coming year as presented in Appendices 6 and 7. 76. In the context of a longer-term approach to the surveillance of the aquatic environment the Group recommended that monitoring continue in some sites in the Original Programmearea for 2-3 years after the cessation of larviciding operations, in order to determine the recovery potential of fish and invertebrates. The Leraba Bridge site was one which should be retained, with sampling of fish being conducted bi-monthly throughout the year, and with sampling of invertebrates (by Surber) being conducted monthly from November to March each year. 77. With regard to external evaluation of the monitoring activities of the Programme and of national hydrobiology teams, the Group recommended that two consultants be contracted, each for approximately one month, to review the data collected and analysed on fish and on those invertebrates taken in Surber samples. 78. The Group recommended that the OCP hydrobiologist select representative sample sites and appropriate sampling schedules for the collection of some qualitative invertebrate samples. The latter, which could be collected by Programme staff and by national hydrobiologiss would provide information on the complete spectrum of taxa available at the chosen sites. Such data would be of value in evaluating, for example, the total taxa available to appear in the drift under conditions of disturbance by pesticide applications. The samples could be forwarded to a member of the Group for characterization and for determining the propensity of the various taxa to appear in the drift under both normal and disturbed river conditions. 79. Recognizing that there was increasing international concern about the fate of African aquatic crustaceans (known to be highly susceptible to pyrethroids), the Group recommended that specific surveys be conducted at selected sites on the Rivers Marahou6, upper Como6 and upper Black Yolta to assess the presence or absence of crustaceans in comparison with baseline data collected in those rivers during the monitoring of tsetse control trials during the 1970's. 80. Considering permethrin as probably being the most biologically active compound used for larviciding operations, the Group recommended that the Programme re-evaluate all the currently available data on this compound and conduct further specific field trials designed to assess, with sufficient margin of safety, the maximum number of allowable treatment cycles with permethrin under operational conditions. Hydrological conditions permitting, these trials could probably be best conducted on the Rivers Niandan (invertebrates), Milo (fish) and Dion (invertebrates and fish) in eastern Guinea. 81. Ihe Group also identified five complimentary research topics for the improvement of aquatic surveillance and the interpretation of the results, which could be conducted over the next 2-3 years. These studies could be shared between the OCP Hydrobiology Unit, national teams, consultants and students under the responsibility of Group members, and are outlined below: (i) determination of the level of toxicity of insecticides to fish with emphasis either on the effecs of different compounds on a single fish species, or, on the effecs of one compound on several ecologically different fish species; tPct2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page 44 Annex I (ii) determination of the representativeness of gill-net fish catches in relation to the actual fish fauna at the same study site. For this study it will be necessary to identify some large pools of water which can be sampled with gill-nets and then treated with rotenone; (iii) evaluation of the fish fauna of rapids which have been under insecticide treatment since the early years of the Programme. This could most readily be done using electric fishing techniques; (iv) investigation of the levels of resistance of aquatic insects to the insecticides currently employed by the Programme; (v) survey of the distribution of different shrimp species according to river basin. In the first instance Guinea and Sierra Leone would present the most favourable conditions for such a survey. M. OTHER MATTERS (a) Hieher education for the Prosramme's hvdrobioloeist t2. The Group recommended that the Programme's hydrobiologist, Mr Laurent Yam6ogo, be granted leave of absence to spend 3-4 months during l99l in the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, to write up monitoring data for publication and pursuant to the submission of a doctoral thesis. (b) Future role of the Ecoloeical Grouo 83. As the Programme's third Financial Phase would soon be coming to an end, the Group considered that its current session was an appropriate time to review its role during the fourth Financial Phase (t992-t997). 84. The Group concluded that it still had a very important role to play both during the final stages of the Programme and immediately thereafter. The Programme would continue to use some chemical insecticides which could only be applied judiciously at high river discharge rates, and these practices would need to be kept under the Group's close scrutiny. With regard to the monitoring of nsofter' larvicides and to applied research, it was considered that the Group was the most effective on-going mechanism for reviewing the findings of the Programme and of national hydrobiological teams and for providing advice and support. The most obvious alternative, the engagement of consultants, was considered to be, at best, only a second-rate alternative. 85. In the longer-term context and as vector control operations ceased in an increasing number of river valleys, the Group had a new and important role to play; to assist the Programme and the Participating Countries to monitor the recovery and/or repopulation, by non-target organisms, of rivers that had been subjected to insecticide treatments for well over a decade. lVhile this was being done, the Group would be able to ensure that, when the Programme came to an end, the Participating Countries had at their disposal the maximum amount of hydrobiological data for use in the formulation and implementation of river basin management and conservation programmes. 86. The Group also considered that an important related role was in the area of institutional strengthening. Members of the Group, collectively or individually, were very well placed to help national hydrobiologists, by giving lectures on special topics and by visiting national laboratories to provide assistance in data anlaysis and problem-solving and guidance in water resource management. 87. In accordance with these views, the Group would be very supportive of any new initiatives to expand the environmental monitoring programmes of the Participating Countries through bilateral assistance and collaboration with institutions both within the Programme area and externally. JPCl2.3(ocP/EAc l9r.t) page 45 Annex I (c) Dr J.-M. Elouard 88. It was noted that Dr J.-M. Elouard had recently taken up a new ORSTOM appointment in Madagascar which now prevented him from maintaining close contact with the Programme's monitoring activities and from participating in Ecological Group sessions. The Group was unanimous in expressing its sincerest thanks to Dr Elouard for his support to the Programme for several years and the contributions he had made towards obtaining a better understanding of West African aquatic fauna. (d) Dr M. Yasuno 89. The Group was very sorry that one of its members, Dr M. Yasuno, had been unable to attend the current session of the Ecological Group. The Group hoped that Dr Yasuno would be able to attend the next session so that the proceedings could benefit from his great knowledge and experience. N. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEXT SESSION (a) Chairman 90. The Group announced that Dr C. Lev6que would be the Chairman for the Group's thirteenth session (1992) and would represent the Group at the twelfth session of the EAC (alternative Dr H. de Iongh) and at the twelfth session of the JPC (alternative Professor D. Calamari). (b) Date and olace of the thirteenth session 91. In considering possible venues for its thirteenth session the Group stressed the importance of holding the session in that part of the Programme area where larviciding operations had ceased, so that it would be logistically easy for Group members to visit a monitoring site on a river in the recovery phase, e.g. the Leraba Bridge site. The Group therefore hoped it would be possible to hold its next session in Bobo-Dioulasso (alternative Ouagadougou), during the week commencing 20 January 1992. O. CLOSURE OF THE SESSION 92. Before the Chairman brought the session to a close, during the afternoon of 28 February, the Group expressed its satisfaction at the way in which the aquatic environment of the Programme area was being monitored by the OCP Hydrobiology Unit and by national hydrobiologists and its conviction that the Programme's vector control operations were not having any significant impact on the aquatic fauna. JPCL?.'(oe/nac/9r.1) paee 46 Arvrex. I Datchorg.(m5/!) 8r.H-14 TEMEPHOS PHOXM PYRACLOFOS PERMETHRIN CAREOSULFAN Figure I ot5 30 70 t30 KEY @Orrl.atctvrr fifrtlu.€. IIS, ui.d Ronge of ur.r of torvicidrr by OCp occording torivrr d lschorge rol.3. r-r A 0 leoephoso o JPCt2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t) page 47 Annex I ! curo"phoxin ! Pooethrin Correspondence factorial analysis applied to the results of multiple gutter tests conducted with temephos, chlorphoxim, pyraclofos, carbosulfan, permethrin and phoxim. (BAE = Baetidae; CAE = Caenidae; CHI = Chironomini; OCL = Orthocladiinae; PSY = Hydropsychidae; TAP = Tanypodiinae; TAT = Tanytarsini; TRI = Tricorythidae). P5r:rclofos PhorluCarbosulfan tr r I CAE PS:T !-a TRI o a EAT TAP [. A AA o o o o I o I /o gEI 0ct .J BAE Fieure 2: \ JPCIZ.3(ocP/EAc /9t.t) page 48 Annex I APPENDIX I LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Members Professor D. Calamari', Institute of Agricultural Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Milan, via Celoria 2,20133 Milan, Italy Professor K.W. Cummins', Director, Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology, Department of Biology Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsbureh, Pennsylvania 21532, USA Dr H. de longh, Centre for Environmental Studies, University of Leiden, P.O. Box 9518, RA Lgidel!, The Netherlands Dr C. Leveque (Chairman'), Directeur de Recherches, ORSTOM, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie, 43, Rue Cuvier, 75231 hlig, Cedex 05, France Other oarticioant Dr D. Paugy, ORSTOM, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire d'Ichtyologie, 43, Rue Cuvier, 75231Eath, Cedex 05, France Secretariat Dr K.B. Akpoboua, VCU/OCP,8P.2279, @@, Mali Dr C. Back, VCU/OCP,B.P.1474, Bouak6, C6te d'Ivoire Dr D.A.T. Baldry', (Secretary), OCP, WHO/HQ, Geneva, Switzerland Mr B. Coulibaly, VCU/OCP, B.P. 549, Ouaeadoueou, Burkina Faso Dr P. Guillet, VCU/OCP, B.P. 2279,Bamako Mr P. Poudiougo, VCU/OCP, B.P. 504, Odienne, C6te d'Ivoire Dr D. Quill6vere, VCU/OCP, B.P. 549, Ouaeadoueou Mr E.J. Senghor, INF/OCP, B.P. 549, Ouaeadoueou Dr A.lV. Soumbey, BIS/OCP, B.P. 549, Ouaeadoueou Mr J.M. Tapsoba, VCU/OCP, B.P. 549, Ouaeadoueou Mr L. Yam6ogo', VCU/OCP, B.P.549, Ouaeadoueou . Members of the Ecological Group and of the Secretariat who made a field visit to Sierra Leone. ocP/vcu /EMS/90.4 ocP/vcu/EMs/90.5 ocP/vcu/HYBro/91.r ocP/vcu /HYBro/gt.2 ocP/vcu /HYBro/91.3 ocP/vcu /HYBto/gl.4 ocP/vcu/HYBro/91.s ocP/vcu /HYBto/gt.6 ocP/vcu /HYBIo/gt.7 ocP/vcu/HYBro/9t.E ocP/vcu /HYBto/gt.9 ocP/vcu/HYBto/gI.r0 - ocP/vcu /HYBto/91.1I - ocP/vcu/HYBto/gt.t2 - ocP/vcu /HYBro/gt.t3 - ocP/vcu/HYBto/gt.t - JPCt2.3(w/E^c/gt.t) page 49 Annex I APPENDIX 2 LIST OF DOCUMENTS Situation as regards drift sampling protocol. (L. Yameogo) Monitoring of the entomofauna of the treated watercourses in Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. (L. Yameogo) Summary of annual report on activities in 1989- 1990 (Guinea): Ichthyology. (Moussa Elimane Diop) Summary of annual report on activities in 1989- 1990 (Guinea national team): Invertebrate biology. (Fanfode Konde) Proposition of a standard protocol for the study of the feeding habits of fish in the OCP area. (D. Paugy) Monitoring of the entomofauna of the treated watercourses in C6te d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. (Summary of 1989/1990 report). (L. Yameogo) Summary of report No 4. Monitoring of the aquatic environment in Mali. (Mamadou Kossa Traor6) Report on mission to Sierra Leone. (D. Paugy & J.-F. Agnese) Institute of Aquatic Biology (Ghana). Summary of 1989/1990 fish monitoring report. (E.K. Abban, H.R. Dankwa & P.K. Ofori-Danson) Institute of Aquatic Biology (Ghana). Summary of 1989/1990 Invertebrate monitoring report. (J. Samman & J.S. Amakye) Monitoring of fish fauna in the treated rivers in Cote d'Ivoire. Summary of 1989/1990 annual report. (K. Traore) Prospections for site selection on the Jong in Sierra Leone.(L. Yameogo) Short-term toxicity in gutters of OMS 3050, Phoxim, chlorphoxim and Vectobac (a B.t. H-14 formulation). (L. Yam6ogo) Yearbook of hydrobiological data. I. Invertebrate fauna. Yearbook of hydrobiological data. II. Fish fauna. Analyse independante des donn6es i long terme de la d6rive recolt6e dans le cadre de la surveillance des cours d'eau traites par I'OCP. (B. Cellot et B. Hugueny, consultants) Identification of priority issues with regard to the analysis of the possible primary and secondary impact of OCP. AIDENVIRONMENT. (J. H. Koeman and C. Dejoux, 1990) No OCP reference JPCr2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.t\ page 50 Annex I APPENDIX 3 INVERTEBRATE QUALITATM EYALUATIONS, SIERRA LEONE, 3-6 MARCH l99l Date Sitel Temp River Basin Insecticide treatments Other observations Fauna oc 3 March I 29 Bankasoka 3 March 2(F) 30 Rokel at Magburaka 3 March 3(I) 3l Rokel at Makpankaw 4 March 4(F) 29 Pampana at Matotoka Port Loko None Creek Many bathing & laundry activities Much gold mining Much gold mining Much gold mining Much gold and diamond mining Good Very poor Poor Very poor Good Moderate to good Moderate to good Yery poor Rokel Rokel Jong Jong Sewa Sewa Moa Moa Temephos, B.t. H-14, permethrin Temephos, B.t. H-14, permethrin Temephos, B.t. H-14, permethrin None Temephos, B.t H-14, permethrin None None Temephos, B.t. H-14, permethrin 4 March 5 4 March 6 5 March 7 5 March 8 6 March 9 Kabankafera Sewa at Njaiama Sewafe Gbobora Tingi Moa above Kenema 25 30 26 29 30 Moderate lI = Invertebrate monitoring site. F = Fish monitoring site2lncluding Macrobrachium sp. 3lncluding Caradina sp. JPCr2.3(ocP/EAc/el.l) page 5l Annex I APPENDIX 4 REVISED PROPOSALS THE EVALUATION OF PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE REFUGIA FOR RECOLONIZATION OF TREATED REACHES OF RIVERS Phase I ( l99l - 1992). Prepare general map (as outlined to the Group by Dr J.F. lYalsh) for the three major areas of the Programme - the'core', the "South" and the 'Westn. These general maps should be integrated with detailed hydrobiological and larviciding maps and should indicate: I ) sections of river with perennial or seasonal flow, 2) section of river exposed to continuous or seasonal treatment, 3) coverage with temephos, B.r. H-14, and other compounds, 4) number of years of treatment. Phase 2 (1992-1993). A detailed analysis of the system (as in Phase l) of the following rivers and reaches, i.e. all tributary systems in the region of the named monitoring station: Niaka, Entomokro, Danangoro, Niandan, Amou. Phase 3 (1993). Synthesis of all biological data on potential refugia. The data categories would be: l) all available data on treated and untreated rivers and tributaries, 2) pre-treatment data, where available, 3) selected post-treatment data - where treatments have ceased. Phase 4 (1994-1995). A detailed analysis (as in Phase 2) for the entire Programme area. This analysis to be updated each year. It is critical that this analysis be converted to the format of established Geographical Information System (GIS, e.g. ARCINFO) techniques. Once maps are digitized, such an approach will permit detailed manipulation of the data relating changes in land-use and treatment strategy to the potential for recolonization of non-target fauna. As part of this study, all the site maps (see Phase l, above) should be digitized. The hierarchy of increasing area of coverage at a decreasing level of resolution should be, site-tributaries-basin. I JPCl2.3 ocP/EAc/g1.1) page 52 Annex I APPENDIX 5 STATUS OF PUBLICATIONS Published Bigorne (R.) 1990 - Mise en synonymie de Gnathonemus brevicaudatus Pellegrin, l9l9 avec Gnathonemus oetersii Gunther, 1862 (Teleostei, Mormyridae). ey.@, 14 (2): 125-129 Bigorne (R.) 1989 - Les genres Efjengrnglfs et Isichthvs (Pisces, Mormyridae) en Afrique de I'Ouest. Rev. Hvdrobiol. troo ., 22 (4): 317-338 Bigorne (R.) l99O - Revision syst6matique du genre Pollimvrus (Teleostei, Mormyridae) en Afrique de I'Ouest. Rev. Hvdrobiol. troo.,23 (4): 313-327 Bigorne (R.) and Paugy (D.) l99l - Note sur la systematique des Petroceohalus (Teleostei: Mormyridae) d'Afrique de I'Ouest. Ichthvol. Exolor. Freshwaters,2(l): l-30 Dejoux (C.) and Elouard (J.-M.), 1989 - 6. Potential impact of microbial insecticides on the freshwater environment, with special references to the WHO/UNDP/lVorld Bank/Onchocerciasis Control Programme. Microbial insecticides Fairhurst (C.P.), Leveque (C.), Elouard (J.-M.), Paugy (D.) and Yameogo (L.), 1990 - Ecological effects of larviciding. Proceedings O-Now . Symposium on Onchocerciasis, Acta Leidensia. 59 (l and 2), l13 Ghazai (A.M.), Benech (V.) and Paugy (D.) - I'alimentation de Brvcinus leuciscus (Teleostei. Characidae) au Mali: aspects qualitatifs, quantitatifs et comportementaux. Ichthvol. Exolor. Freshwaters , 2(l) : 47 -54 Hugueny (8.), 1990 - Richesse des peuplements de poissons dans le Niandan (haut Niger, Afrique) en fonction de la taille de la riviire et de la diversite du mitieu. Rev.Hvdrobiol.trop ., 23 (4) : 349-354. Leveque (C.), Paugy (D.) and Teugels (G.G.), l99l - The Fresh and Brackish Water Fishes of West Africa, Volume I, Faune trooicale XXVII, 384 pp. Paugy (D.) and Elouard (J.-M.), 1989 - Recherches hydrobiologiques ORSTOM realisees dans le - cadre du Programme de Lutte contre I'Onchocercose. Bilan bibliographique commente (1974-1987). Edit. ORSTOM, 145 pp. Paugy (D.) and Guegan (J.-F.), 1989 - Note i propos de trois espices d'Hvdrocvnus (Pisces, Characidae) du bassin du Niger, suivie de la rehabilitation de I'espice Hvdrocvnus vittatus (Castelnau, l86l). Rev.Hvdrobiol.troo.,22 (l) : 63-69. Paugy (D.), Guegan (J.-F.) and Agnise (J.-F) 1990 - Three simultaneous and independant approaches to characterize a new species of Labeo. (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) from West Africa. Can. iournal Zool., 68: I124-l l3l Paugy (D.) and Benech (V.) 1989 - Les poissons d'eau douce des bassins c6tiers du Togo (Afrique de I'Ouest). Rev. Hvdrobiol. troo.,22 (4): 295-316 Paugy (D.), Leveque (C.), Teugels (G.G.), Bigorne (R.) and Romand (R.),1990 - Freshwater fishes of Sierra Leone and Liberia: annotated checklist and distribution. Rev. Hvdrobiol. trop.,21(a):329- 350. tJPCl2.3 (ocP/EAc/gI.1) page 53 Annex I Aooendix 5 In press Elouard (J.-M.) and Hideux (P.) - Mayflies of West Africa. Thraulobaetodes. an atypic new genus of crawling baetid. Proceedings of the Sixth International Mayflies Conference, Grenada, Spain Elouard (J.-M.), Gillies (M.T.) and lVuillot (J.) - Ephemires d'Afrique de I'Ouest. Le genre Pseudooannota (Baetidae). Rev. Hvdrobiol. troo. Elouard (J.-M.), Yam6ogo (L.) and Simier (M.) - Homologie d'6volution de peuplements benthiques soumis aux 6pandages d'insecticides antisimulidiens. Rev. Sciences de I'eaui. Gillies (M.T.), Elouard (J.-M.) and lVuillot (J.) - Mayflies in West Africa - The genus Oohelmatostoma (Baetidae). Rev. Hvdrobiol. troo. L6veque (C.), Paugy (D.) and Teugels (G.G.) - The Fresh and Brackish lVater Fishes of West Africa, Volume II, Faune trooicale Yam6ogo (L.), Calamari (D.), Grunewald (J.) and Fairhurst (C.P.) - The aquatic monitoring and bioassay component of the 1VHO Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa. yd Internat. Verein. Limnol. (1991) Yameogo (L.), Elouard (J.-M.) and Simier (M.) - Typologies des entomoc6noses benthiques soumisi des epandages d'insecticides antisimuiidiens. Aicnii. riir Hvorouioi. Yameogo (L.), Tapsoba (J.-M.) and Bihoum (M.) - Short-term toxicity of pyraclofos (a new organophosphorus compound) on the non-target fauna of a tropical aquatic environment. Envir. Toxicol. & Chem. Yameogo (L.), Tapsoba (J.-M.) and Calamari (D.) - Laboratory toxicity of potential blackfly larvicides on some fish species in the Onchocerciasis Control Programme area (IVest Africai. Ecotoxicol. Envir. saf.. 21, (1991) In oreoaration Coffman (w.P.), Cummins (K.w.) and lVilzbach (M.A.) - Taxonomic diversity of the Chironomidae(Diptera) in the WHO Onchocerciasis Control Program area, West Africa. irans. Amer. Ent. Soc. Cummins (K.W.) and Wilzbach (M.A.) - Invertebrate populations in refugia running water sites in the wHO Onchocerciasis Control Program, West Africa. Verh. Internat. Verein. iimnol. Cummins (K.w.), lVilzbach (M.A.), Elouard (J.-M.) and Yam6ogo (L.) - Functional organization of running water invertebrate associations in eastern Guinea. Journ. North. Amer. Bentholoeical Soc. Elouard (J.-M.) and Fairhurst (C.) - The aggregation of fresh-water insects from different collection methods in lVest Africa. Ecoloeia ceneratis Elouard (J.-M.) and Fairhurst (C.) - Utilization of the aggregation index to measure long-term effecsproduced by the large-scale use of simuliid pesticides in the Onchocerciasis ContrJl programme. Chemosohere tPct2.3 (ocP/EAC /9t.r) page 54 Annex I Aopendix 5 Hideux (P.) and Elouard (J.-M.) - Mayflies of West Africa. The subgenus Adgtlgphleblg@(Ephemeroptera : Lephebiidae). Aouatic insects Paugy (D.) - Les cycles de reproduction de poissons de Baoule (Ht $6n6gal, Mali). Rev. Hvdrobiol. troD. Paugy (D.) - Le peuplement ichthyologique du Baoul6 (Ht Senegal, Mali) avant son traitement aux insecticides antisimulidiens. Rev. Hvdrobiol. trop. Yam6ogo (L.), Calamari (D), Elouard (J.-M.), Guillet (P.), Paugy (D.) and Walsh (J.F.) - Ecological assessment of the OCP use of permethrin. Reviews of Environmental Toxicoloev a ) JPCl2.3 (ocP/EAC/9r.1) page 55 Annex I APPENDIX 6 WORK PROGRAMME 1991 FISH MONITORING COUNTRY SITE/RIVER SAMPLING FREQUENCY LARVICIDES EXPECTED TO BE USED Cote d'Ivoire Niaka/Bandama Blanc Ganse/Como6 Pont routier/Li:raba ) ) ) Bi-monthly Bi-monthly (8.t. H-I4, pyraclofos, phoxim,) (carbosulfan and premethrin) No treatments Mali Missira/Baoul6 Bi-monthly No treatments Guinea Baranama/Dion Mandiana/Sankarani Boussoule/Milo Bi-monthly B.t. H-I4, temephos, phoxim, pyraclofos and permethrin Ghana Sabari/Oti1 Asubende/Pru ) ) Bi-monthly B.t. H-I4, pyraclofos and carbosulfan Sierra Leone Matotoka/Jong Bumbuna/Rokel Kenema/Moa ) ) ) Bi-monthly B.t. H-I4, temephos, pyraclofos and permethrin r Monthly from June to December I t ) ) ) JPCI2.3 (ocP/EAc /et.r) page 56 Annex I APPENDIX 7 WORK PROGRAMME 1991 INVERTEBRATES MONITORING I couNTRY SrTE/RTVER/CODE SAMPLTNG FREQUENCY LARVICIDES EXPECTED TO BE USED Cote d'Ivoire Danangoro/Marahoue/8 Entomokro / Mar ahou6 / I 6 Niaka/Bandama blanc/3 Once a month in Nov., March & April, and twice a month in December, January and February B.t. H-14, pyraclofos and phoxim Ganse/Como6/2 Twice a month from september to December B.t. H-14, pyraclofos and carbosulfan/permethrin Mali Kokofata/Bakoye/5 t Once a month June/July and December/January No treatments Guinea Sassambaya/Niandan/6 I Once a month in Nov., March & April, and twice a month in December, January and February B.t. H- 14, temephos, pyraclofos permethrin and phoxim Ghana Bamboi/Black Volta/12 Once a month during wet season, after analysis of drift data B.t. H-14 temephos, pyraclofos and permethrin Asubende/Pru/20 Once a month in Nov., March & April, and twice a month in December, January and February B.t. H-14 and pyraclofos Sierra Leone Musaia/Mongo/73 Once in December and twice a month from January to April B.t. H-14, temephos, carbosulfan and pyraclofos Makpankaw /Seli/l2 Gbanba/Jong/76 Once in December and twice a month from January to April B.t. H-14, temephos, permethrin and pyraclofos I )