RESUMO
Located in the northern part of Bénin, the district of Kérou is an historical HTA focus of the 60s formerly called the "Atacora focus". This survey was conducted in 2001 to determine the prevalence of HAT in Kérou. The methodology consisted in a cross-sectional survey based on random sampling with two levels of stratification. 3367 persons were included (i=5%). After a screening based on CATT test with total blood test, the examination of trypanosomae was performed with QBC on the subjects that have some persistent antibodies above serum dilution at 1/4, followed by lumbar puncture. For 3367 surveyed subjects, the CATT seroprevalence test with total blood sample is 4.2% and it is 2.4% with serum dilution at 1/8. The research of trypanosomae with QBC is positive in 48 patients and the prevalence is 1.4%. The community survey conducted among 106 positive persons with CATT test serum at 1/4 dilution has revealed that 71 (67%) persons have never left the area since their birth. The HAT is actually emerging in Atacora district in the north of Bénin, especially in Kérou.