Evaluation of the prevalence of T.cruzi infection among AWA people resident in the S. Lorenzo canton, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador

Centro per le Malattie Tropicali (CMT)

Area of Activity: Control & Prevention, Epidemiology
Type of Project: Capacity Building, Implementation

 

 

This project represents the answer to the discovery of infective triatomines in the area of intervention of the community epidemiology projects guided by Cecomet in the AWA indigens area, Esmeraldas Ecuador. The first step was the collection of the vectors in order to identify species and evaluate the presence of T.cruzi in the vectors.  Confirmed that vectors were able to transmit Chagas disease, with the agreement of directors of the AWA Federation (FCAE) and after an intense program of education and information of the community, a serosurvey have been done beginning from young >10 years old and adults as requested by the community. Up to now (end 2015) 532 people have been screened among those living in 6 communities of the S. Lorenzo canton and in 56 communities of Carchi province, bordering with Esmeraldas. Fourteen individuals resultered positive (confirmed) to the screening (2,62%). Lab tests are performed at the Biomedicine Laboratory of the Central University of Quito and one sample is sent for confirmation at the INSPI according to Ecuadorian rules.  

 

  • Aims: to study if human transmission of Chagas disease in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador does exist and to evaluate prevalence of Chagas disease among the AWA communities, following the discovery of effective triatomines in that area
  • To establish, if necessary and with the agreement of the interested communities and the local sanitary authorities, control strategies to contain the disease expansion.
  • To expand triatomines collection in other AWA communities of Esmeraldas, Imbabura and Carchi Provinces. To determine triatomines species, their transmission capacity and infectivity (presence of T.cruzi in vectors).
  • To offer T.cruzi serology in the other communities
  • To define with the district sanitary authorities, the national program for Chagas disease and the Panamerican Health Organization/World Health Organization an intervention plan to control the disease diffusion and treat affected people.