Garantizando Derechos

Centro per le Malattie Tropicali (CMT). Lugar: Bérgamo, rento, Milán, Italia

Area of Activity:
Type of Project: Capacity Building

This project represents the answer to the discover 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.  

 

  • Epidemiology: the aim is to better define the Italian epidemiology of Chagas disease across the Italian Regions with the highest residence of Latin American people (prevalence, clinical features of affected people, health needs).
  • Affected people are offered a clinical evaluation to assess the stage of Chagas disease and treatment (benzidazole or nifurtimox) if opportune.
  • Up to 01/01/2015 around 450 individuals have been diagnosed and 360 have been treated.
  • In cooperation with Doctors without Borders a videoclip has been produced on the access to diagnosis and care for Chagas disease in Northern Italy
  • Production and distribution of educational material in the Latin American communities have been done and is planned
  • Distribution of educational material produced by the Ministry of Health of the relative country in a given Latin American community has been done and is planned
  • Interchange of information and referral between CTD and Reference Centres in the respective country for relatives of patients followed at CTD is ongoing
  • Educational meetings on Chagas disease with the Latin American communities in Northern and Central Italy have been done and are planned in 2016
  • We contributed to the creation of the Italian Association against Chagas disease (AILMAC); a member of CTD remains scientific reference for the association; AILMAC is part of the FINDECHAGAS, the international federation of the associations working for Chagas disease patients
  • Screening days are organized with AILMAC
  • Educational meetings on Chagas disease for the healthcare community are planned in 2016.