Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Ethiopia bears one of the highest burdens of onchocerciasis worldwide; a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by Onchocerca volvulus . Simulium damnosum sensu lato (s.l.) is the primary vector of transmission, although Simulium ethiopiense may also contribute to transmission. Since 2012, the Ethiopian Onchocerciasis Elimination Program has implemented annual or biannual mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin as its principal intervention to target the microfilarial stage of the parasite. This strategy has achieved substantial progress in reducing transmission and remains the cornerstone of the national effort to eliminate onchocerciasis by 2030. However, current evidence on the existing challenges and potential opportunities to enhance and sustain elimination efforts is limited. This review therefore explores the key barriers to elimination and highlights opportunities to accelerate progress toward the national elimination goal. This review demonstrates that, although substantial progress has been made, current interventions continue to encounter several challenges. These include the limited integration of vector control as a complementary strategy, inadequate entomological data, the absence of context‐specific criteria for monitoring and evaluating disease transmission, the emergence of drug‐resistant parasite strains and insecticide‐resistant vectors, persistent cross‐border transmission, and the withdrawal of financial support from key donors. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) strategy to implement context‐based monitoring and evaluation, combined with the adoption of tailored interventions informed by scientific evidence and lessons learned from successful elimination initiatives in South and Central America, offers significant opportunities for further advancement. To sustain current achievements and accelerate elimination efforts, Ethiopia will require continued political commitment, increased domestic financing, meaningful community engagement, strengthened research on vaccines, macro‐ and microfilaricidal agents, vector biology, and transmission dynamics, as well as expanded vector control interventions complementary to community‐directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI). These efforts will be essential to achieve the ultimate goal of eliminating human onchocerciasis (HO) from Ethiopia once and for all.
Source: Advances in Public Health
DOI: 10.1155/adph/8160964
Institutions: Jimma University, University of Molise, Debre Markos University
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,000
Funder: Jimma University
OpenAlex ID: W7221521233