ABSTRACT
This paper outlines the history of schistosomiasis in Morocco and the efforts made to eliminate it from the country. Since it was first diagnosed in 1914 in Marrakesh, schistosomiasis remained for decades a public health problem in Morocco. A national control programme was launched in 1982 and it led to a considerable reduction in the incidence and morbidity associated with the disease. Consequently, the programme shifted from disease control to an elimination process launched in 1994. This process aimed to eliminate the disease transmission by the end of 2004 and has helped to clear all known foci. Today, the challenge is to maintain schistosomiasis elimination and to be certified schistosomiasis-free by the World Health Organization.
Subject(s)
Communicable Disease Control/history , National Health Programs/history , Schistosomiasis/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Morocco/epidemiology , National Health Programs/organization & administration , Schistosomiasis/epidemiology , Schistosomiasis/prevention & controlABSTRACT
This paper outlines the history of schistosomiasis in Morocco and the efforts made to eliminate it from the country. Since it was first diagnosed in 1914 in Marrakesh, schistosomiasis remained for decades a public health problem in Morocco. A national control programme was launched in 1982 and it led to a considerable reduction in the incidence and morbidity associated with the disease. Consequently, the programme shifted from disease control to an elimination process launched in 1994. This process aimed to eliminate the disease transmission by the end of 2004 and has helped to clear all known foci. Today, the challenge is to maintain schistosomiasis elimination and to be certified schistosomiasis-free by the World Health Organization
Subject(s)
SchistosomiasisABSTRACT
The survey drew up the epidemiological situation of intestinal parasitism in the center of health El Idrissi (Kenitra, Morocco). The number of reviews has decreased between 1996 and 2005. A correlation between the number of examinations and years of the study period was observed (p <0.001). 4285 stool specimens collected in 1996-2005 were tested by parasitologic examination. Among the persons examined, 606 of them were parasited by one or several species, say an infestation index of 14.15%. Amoeba were frequently observed (47.04%) with prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica (23.74%), followed by Flagella (28.79%) represented by: Giardia intestinalis (22.71%), Trichomonas intestinalis (5.49%) and Chilomastix mesnilii (0.60%). Helminthes were less found. Ascaris lumbricoides was frequent among helminthes (11.87%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (5.64%), Hymenolepis nana (2.68%), Enterobius vermicularis (2.08%), Taenia saginata (0.75%) and Stronyloides stercoralis (0.45%). The clinical symptoms were observed in 110 subjects with parasites (110/606 or 18.15%) characterized by abdominal pain (75 cases) and association diarrhea more abdominal pain (35 cases). The relationship between the infestation index calculed, sex, age, the annual and seasonal changes, polyparasitism and intestinal parasitic infection is discussed.
