Background: The World Health Organization has identified Taenia solium mapping tools as an important development for intensifying control in hyperendemic areas. Taenia solium has also been identified as a priority by the Lao PDR government. There is a limited understanding of the distribution of T. solium due to inherent diagnostic challenges.
Method: Global and local autocorrelation statistics were applied to available risk factor data sourced from national censuses to map the risk of Taenia solium in Lao PDR.
Results: Approximately 50% of villages could be considered hot spots for one or more risk factors. Different risk factor hot spots co-occurred in 30% of villages. Twenty per cent of villages were classified as hot spots for the proportion of households owning pigs and another risk factor. Northern Lao PDR was the dominant high-risk area. This is consistent with passive reports, limited surveys, and anecdotal reports. One smaller area in southern Lao PDR was also identified as high-risk. This is of particular interest because T. solium has not previously been investigated in this area.
Conclusions: The methods applied provide a simple, rapid, and versatile approach that allows endemic countries to begin mapping the risk of T. solium at a sub-national level.
}, year = {2023}, journal = {Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease}, volume = {8}, pages = {1-10}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, issn = {2414-6366}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/8/4/221/pdf?version=1681451765}, doi = {10.3390/tropicalmed8040221}, language = {Eng}, }