Onchocerciasis is a neglected tropical disease that has severe health and socioeconomic impacts on the mostly poor and underserved communities in disease-endemic areas. Despite significant global progress toward the elimination of onchocerciasis transmission there remains a high risk of reemergence in areas where the disease was previously eliminated. Here we discuss the potential risk factors for the reemergence of onchocerciasis in disease-free zones in Sudan and nearby countries resulting from war-induced massive population displacement. We urge public health, humanitarian, and development stakeholders to invest in policymaking, strategic planning, resource mobilization, and development and implementation of sustainable and cost-effective prevention and control interventions for onchocerciasis, particularly among the most vulnerable high-risk populations.
BT - The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene C1 -https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40925357
DA - 09/2025 DO - 10.4269/ajtmh.25-0100 J2 - Am J Trop Med Hyg LA - eng M3 - Article N2 -Onchocerciasis is a neglected tropical disease that has severe health and socioeconomic impacts on the mostly poor and underserved communities in disease-endemic areas. Despite significant global progress toward the elimination of onchocerciasis transmission there remains a high risk of reemergence in areas where the disease was previously eliminated. Here we discuss the potential risk factors for the reemergence of onchocerciasis in disease-free zones in Sudan and nearby countries resulting from war-induced massive population displacement. We urge public health, humanitarian, and development stakeholders to invest in policymaking, strategic planning, resource mobilization, and development and implementation of sustainable and cost-effective prevention and control interventions for onchocerciasis, particularly among the most vulnerable high-risk populations.
PY - 2025 T2 - The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene TI - Strategies and Recommendations for the Prevention and Control of War-Facilitated Onchocerciasis Reemergence in Sudan. SN - 1476-1645 ER -