Implementing alternative strategies for Onchocerciasis control and elimination in Cameroon
COUNTDOWN is a multi-disciplinary implementation research consortium led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and implemented in the following countries:Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria.Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), it brings together researchers, policy makers, practitioners and implementation research specialists from different study fields including Parasitology, Entomology, Applied social science, Health economics and Research uptake.These study fields when taken collectively, will build an interconnecting framework that will influence policy towards the elimination of several key Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) which includes Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis,Soil transmitted Helminthiasis and Trachoma. COUNTDOWN Institutions in Cameroon include the Ministry of public Health, University of Buea and University of Yaounde 1. The University of Buea COUNTDOWN Team comprises more than fifteen researchers led by Professor Wanji Samuel (Principal Investigator) and includes Dr Enyong Peter (Entomologist), Dr Esum Eyong Mathias (Parasitologist), Dr Njoumemi Zacharia (Health Economist) and Mr Nji Theobald (Social Scientist).
The objectives of activities carried out by the University of Buea scientists include determining the risk factors for sub-optimal effectiveness of current CDTi strategy, the effectiveness of implementing alternative strategies (namely test and treat with doxycycline and ground larviciding) in the control or focal elimination of onchocerciasis and to capture societal and health economic data to assess the acceptability and feasibility of alternative strategies for onchocerciasis control and elimination.

Community Sensitization

Countdown Community sensitization Meeting

A community health worker trained by the Countdown team spraying the river to kill Simulium larvae

Conclusions: Findings from the Countdown consortium activities have demonstrated that Onchocerciasis elimination can be accelerated in Cameroon using the combination of Test and treat strategy with doxycycline and ground larviciding targeting Simulium vector larvae in breeding sites using temophos.