[Distribution of Buruli ulcer in the Zè district of Benin]. / Distribution spatiale de l'ulcère de Buruli dans la commune de Zê (Bénin).

The goals of this cross-sectional study conducted in the Zè district of Benin were to determine the overall distribution and prevalence of Buruli ulcer (BU) and to identify environmental and behavioral risk factors. A total of 425 current or previous BU patients from the study district were included. Data was obtained by direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and document review. The main findings can be summarized as follows. The overall prevalence of BU in the Zè district in 2006 was 52 cases per 10000 inhabitants. The prevalence of current and previous cases was 28.1 and 23.9 per 10 000 inhabitants respectively. The distribution of BU within the district was highly variable from one subdistrict to another and from one village to another within the same subdistrict. The subdistricts showing the highest and lowest endemicity were Djigbé with 265 cases per 10 000 inhabitants and Koundokpoé with 3 cases per 10 000 inhabitants respectively. Proximity of the hamlets to water bodies was a risk factor for the disease.

[Surveillance system for Buruli ulcer in Benin: results after four years]. / Mise en place d'un système de surveillance de l'ulcère de Buruli au Bénin: point de 4 années de surveillance.

Infection by Mycobacterium ulcerans, commonly known as Buruli ulcer (BU), is an emerging infectious disease in some African countries, including Benin. A national BU control program has been organised since 1997. One of its main objectives is to organise a system of BU surveillance, based on the BU02 data collection form developed by the World Health Organization. This surveillance system has allowed the National BU program to collect suitable data for more than 3,793 patients. This article assesses data collection in Benin and demonstrates its suitability and high quality.