RESUMEN
We discuss the experience of some Pacific island countries in introducing the new WHO-recommended treatment protocol for lymphatic filariasis-a triple-drug therapy composed of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole. The successful rollout of the new treatment protocol was dependent on strong partnerships among these countries' ministries of health, WHO, and other stakeholders. Effective communication among these partners allowed for lessons learned to cross borders and have a positive impact on the experiences of other countries. We also describe various challenges confronted during this process and the ways these countries overcame them.
Asunto(s)
Filariasis Linfática , Filaricidas , Humanos , Filariasis Linfática/tratamiento farmacológico , Filariasis Linfática/epidemiología , Filariasis Linfática/prevención & control , Filaricidas/uso terapéutico , Dietilcarbamazina/uso terapéutico , Albendazol/uso terapéutico , Ivermectina/uso terapéutico , Quimioterapia CombinadaAsunto(s)
Filariasis Linfática/tratamiento farmacológico , Promoción de la Salud , Administración Masiva de Medicamentos , Samoa Americana/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Filariasis Linfática/epidemiología , Femenino , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Masculino , Prevalencia , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de SaludRESUMEN
During December 2015-January 2016, the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDoH) detected through surveillance an increase in the number of cases of acute febrile rash illness. Concurrently, a case of laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infection, a mosquito-borne flavivirus infection documented to cause microcephaly and other severe brain defects in some infants born to women infected during pregnancy (1,2) was reported in a traveler returning to New Zealand from American Samoa. In the absence of local laboratory capacity to test for Zika virus, ASDoH initiated arboviral disease control measures, including public education and vector source reduction campaigns. On February 1, CDC staff members were deployed to American Samoa to assist ASDoH with testing and surveillance efforts.