Reinfection rates of successfully treated cases of ascariasis in Victoria, Laguna

ABSTRACT

A total of 284 successfully treated cases of ascariasis among school children in Victoria, Laguna, were examined monthly after treatment for a period of seven months to determine the rate at which they were reinfected. During the first five months of observation 47.8% were reinfected. At the end of the seven months follow-up 80.9% were reinfected. Based on these observations, it appears that a once-a-year mass deworming program for school children is barely effective in lowering Ascaris transmission level in the community like the town of Victoria. (Summary and Conclusions)