Rapid assessment surveys were conducted between 2004 and 2005 using both rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis (REMO) and rapid assessment procedure for loiasis (RAPLOA). The survey results were subjected to a spatial analysis in order to generate for each of the two diseases maps of the estimated prevalence of infection throughout the four zones.
Surveys were undertaken in 788 villages where 25,754 males were examined for palpable onchocercal nodules and 62,407 people were interviewed for history of eye worm. The results showed major differences in the geographic distribution of the two diseases. Loiasis was highly endemic in some areas, where special precautions were required, but not in others where routine ivermectin treatment could proceed.
Integrated rapid mapping of onchocerciasis and loiasis reduces both time and cost of surveys and greatly facilitates operational decision-making on ivermectin treatment in areas where loiasis might be co-endemic.