What does the COVID-19 pandemic mean for the next decade of onchocerciasis control and elimination?

Hamley, JID; Blok, DJ; Walker, M; Milton, P; Hopkins, AD; Hamill, LC; Downs, P; de Vlas, SJ; Stolk, WA; Basanez, MG

Abstract

Background: Mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin for onchocerciasis has been disrupted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Mathematical modelling can help predict how missed/delayed MDA will affect short-term epidemiological trends and elimination prospects by 2030. Methods: Two onchocerciasis transmission models (EPIONCHO-IBM and ONCHOSIM) are used to simulate microfilarial prevalence trends, elimination probabilities and age profiles of Onchocerca volvulus microfilarial prevalence and intensity for different treatment histories and transmission settings, assuming no interruption, a 1-y (2020) interruption or a 2-y (2020-2021) interruption. Biannual MDA or increased coverage upon MDA resumption are investigated as remedial strategies. Results: Programmes with shorter MDA histories and settings with high pre-intervention endemicity will be the most affected. Biannual MDA is more effective than increasing coverage for mitigating COVID-19's impact on MDA. Programmes that had already switched to biannual MDA should be minimally affected. In high-transmission settings with short treatment history, a 2-y interruption could lead to increased microfilarial load in children (EPIONCHO-IBM) and adults (ONCHOSIM). Conclusions: Programmes with shorter (annual MDA) treatment histories should be prioritised for remedial biannual MDA. Increases in microfilarial load could have short- and long-termmorbidity andmortality repercussions. These results can guide decision-making to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on onchocerciasis elimination.

Citation

Hamley, J., Blok, D., Walker, M., Milton, P., Hopkins, A., Hamill, L., …Basanez, M. (2021). What does the COVID-19 pandemic mean for the next decade of onchocerciasis control and elimination?. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, 115(3), 269-280. https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/traa193

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 29, 2020
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 4, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 4, 2022
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 115
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 269-280
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/traa193
• Keywords: COVID-19; ivermectin; mass drug administration; mathematical modelling; onchocerciasis; remedial strategies
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1553843