Short Report: Buruli Ulcer Control in a Highly Endemic District in Ghana: Role of Community-Based Surveillance Volunteers

作者：Abass Kabiru Mohammed; van der Werf Tjip S; Phillips Richard O; Sarfo Fred S; Abotsi Justice; Mireku Samuel Osei; Thompson William N; Asiedu Kingsley; Stienstra Ymkje; Klis Sandor Adrian^*

来源：The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2015, 92(1): 115-117.

DOI：10.4269/ajtmh.14-0405

Buruli ulcer (BU) is an infectious skin disease that occurs mainly in West and Central Africa. It can lead to severe disability and stigma because of scarring and contractures. Effective treatment with antibiotics is available, but patients often report to the hospital too late to prevent surgery and the disabling consequences of the disease. In a highly endemic district in Ghana, intensified public health efforts, mainly revolving around training and motivating community-based surveillance volunteers (CBSVs), were implemented. As a result, 70% of cases were reported in the earliest-World Health Organization category I-stage of the disease, potentially minimizing the need for surgery. CBSVs referred more cases in total and more cases in the early stages of the disease than any other source. CBSVs are an important resource in the early detection of BU.

• 出版日期2015-1