Annual report on simulium vector elimination activities in Uganda: project 1 monitoring activities in Itwara focus, Kabarole district

,". SC Ci( ANNUAL REPORT ON SIMULIUM VECTOR ELIMINATION ACTIVITIES IN UGANDA PROJECT 1:MONITORING ACTIVITIES lN ITWARA FOCUS, KABAROLE DISTRICT: lntroduction: The ltwara focus is located around the ltwara forest reserve about 25 km north east of Fort Poftal town. Monitoring activities in this focus using the APOC Trust Fund started in September 1998. The first installment of ten thousand dollars (10,000 $) was disbursed in August 1998 while the second and last installment of six thousand, one hundred fifty seven (6,157 $)was received in July 1999. Monitoring activities involved prospections in key checkpoints in ltwara main focus and river treatments using temephos (Abate @) at 4 - weekly interual in the sub-foci of Aswa and Siisa. Vector dynamics was also monitored through adult catches in the six established catching sites. Progress in these activities is reviewed for the one year period. (i) ltwara Main Focus A total of seven river prosepctions at key checkpoints were conducted between September 1998 and September 1999. During this period, a total of 872 crabs caught were all found to be negative for Simulium neavei immature stages (Table 1a). Prospection planned for December 1999 could not be conducted due to the RECU I I FEV 2000 APOC/DIR 2000 out of this 98 (6.1%) were positive with S. neavei immature stages. River treatment registered tremendous decline in crab infestation since September 1998. Between February 1999 and June 1999 good treatment results were observed in this sub-focus, but thereafter there were persistent fluctuations in positivity of crabs at the Gauging and Andrew's dosing points. This prompted an investigation which revealed that the distance between Gauging and Andrew's dosing points was well over 5 kms. A distance of 3 kms has been the most effective insecticide carry distance in this focus. ln September 1999, an adjustment in dosing points were made whereby a new dosing point (Butime's Farm) was introduced. The impact of this readjustment on crab infestation in this sub-focus could not be reviewed in October 1999 and thereafter due to insecurity. Adult catches at Andrew;s and Tourist sites revealed no $. neavei caught (Table 1b). With improved security situation in the atea, plans have been made to resume prospection and river treatments in January 2000. (iv) Supervision Monthly full day supervised catches were regularly conducted, by the Kabarole vector control staff in the six established sites. During those activities, no S. neavei was caught at any of the sites. ln Aswa sub-focus, interruption of catches was in November 1999 due to the insecurity. The general supervision greatly improved with the acquisition of the field motor-cycle. J crab infestation. With the readjustment of distance in dosing points in Aswa sub- focus, better results are anticipated. No S. neavei adult was caught in the six established catching sites. lt is therefore evident that prospects for S. neavei elimination in this focus is eminent. REFERENCE CITED (i) Walsh, J.F., Garms, R & Lakwo, T. (1996) Planning of focal vector eradication in onchocerciasis foci in Uganda. Report to WHO/TDR. 5 a= o 1' tr o o o o o o o o o o o o O o I o o a l- oF o o o o o O o O o o o O O O I o o G' .96 o o O O O O o o o o o o o O O o o o o o o o o o o o o o=ool oo o o O O O O (E o G o o O O O O o O o O o O o o O O O o o o o .= o E) '= o Go O O o O O O O o O O o o G Y O o O o c') o) o) @ o, o) o = L o) _o E o o 0) @ L 0) _o o o o L o _o E 0) oZ L o) _o E o)() oo L(o =C(! --) .$f _o 0) LL .C() L(o :L o_ o 0) C f --) -> =--) c) :l O)f L o _o E o o_ c) @ L o -o () o L C) _o E 0) oZ Lq) -o E o() G)o F oF o, o) o) o -o E oo oo o @ o, o, o -o E o o. oa (UE (E o)f o .tnEg o (U -o(u Y a; (, o (g G == .; o .= a g, =o(I, o ! o .o =G o o .x o o G o o o (Il o > LL n o -o(Il