An integrated assessment of leprosy, Buruli ulcer, and yaws around the irrigated perimeters of Bagré and Kompienga in Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso shares its borders with six countries that regularly report cases of Buruli ulcer, yaws, and leprosy (Hansen disease), three neglected tropical diseases with dermatological manifestations. Treatment of leprosy has shown excellent results, and it appears to be essentially eliminated. The same cannot be said for Buruli ulcer or yaws, the epidemiology of which remains poorly elucidated. In this context, it was essential to review the situation of these three diseases through a joint survey in the health districts bordering the Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and the irrigated areas around the dams of Kompienga and Bagré. Our team led a disease survey in these irrigated areas, and we report the results. To determine the current scale of the Buruli ulcer, leprosy, and yaws in the irrigated areas around these two dams and to formulate recommendations. This single-pass survey from April 10-18 was a transverse descriptive study, with sampling based on proximity to the dams. Overall, 1482 people were consulted. Among them, 413 (27.9%) presented dermatosis, distributed as follows: 28 suspected cases of yaws (6.8%), 7 suspected cases of Buruli ulcer (1.7%), 1 case of multibacillary leprosy (0.24%) in an 8-year-old girl, and 377 cases of other dermatoses, dominated by those of fungal origin. A large-scale investigation including all other irrigated areas might make it possible to understand the real situation.

[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.