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Control programme for cystic echinococcosis in Uruguay
Irabedra, Pilar; Ferreira, Ciro; Sayes, Julio; Elola, Susana; Rodríguez, Miriam; Morel, Noelia; Segura, Sebastian; Santos, Estela dos & Guisantes, Jorge A
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis is a highly endemic parasitic zoonosis that is present in the Southern Cone countries of
America. For several decades, various prevention and control programmes have been implemented in different
countries and regions, with varying results. In Uruguay, a new control programme was implemented in 2006 that
employed new strategies for canine diagnosis and treatment, dog population control, diagnosis in humans, epidemiological
surveillance, and health education, including community participation. The control programme in Uruguay
addresses the control and surveillance of the disease from a holistic perspective based on Primary Health Care,
which has strengthened the community’s participation in developing and coordinating activities in an interdisciplinary
manner. Similarly, the control programme that is currently implemented is based on a risk-focused approach.
The surveillance and control measures were focused on small villages and extremely poor urban areas. In this study,
the strategies used and the results obtained from 2008-2013 are analysed and discussed.
Keywords
cystic echinococcosis; hydatidosis; hydatid disease; Echinococcus granulosus; zoonoses; parasitic diseases; Uruguay
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