Mapping the Geographic Distribution of Tungiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The geographic distribution of tungiasis is poorly understood, despite the frequent occurrence of the disease in marginalized populations of low socioeconomic status. To date, little work is available to define the geography of this neglected tropical disease (NTD). This exploratory study incorporated geostatistical modeling to map the suitability for tungiasis transmission in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In SSA, environmental suitability is predicted in 44 countries, including Angola, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Cote de Ivoire, Mali, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Gabon, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, and South Africa. In total, an estimated 668 million people live in suitable areas, 46% (304 million) of which reside in East Africa. These evidence-based maps provide vital evidence of the potential geographic extent of SSA. They will help to guide disease control programs, inform policymakers, and raise awareness at the global level. Likewise, these results will hopefully provide decisionmakers with the pertinent information necessary to lessen morbidity and mortality in communities located in environmentally suitable areas.

Sustainable control of tungiasis in rural Nigeria: a case for One Health

“…The parasitic skin disease tungiasis -a neglected tropical disease -is highly endemic in many resource-poor communities in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, often causing high morbidities, particularly in underprivileged populations [1] . On the African continent, the disease is widespread, and a recent study suggested that 44 countries in sub-Saharan Africa provide suitable environmental characteristics for the occurrence of tungiasis [2] .…”

“…On the African continent, the disease is widespread, and a recent study suggested that 44 countries in sub-Saharan Africa provide suitable environmental characteristics for the occurrence of tungiasis [2] . Historical reports evidenced an extremely high burden of tungiasis throughout the African continent many years ago [3] , and recent studies show that numerable communities still suffer from severe infestations today, with a particularly high burden in schoolchildren [1,[4][5][6][7] . In Nigeria, several historical and recent studies reported extremely high prevalences and demonstrated evidence that tungiasis is a major public health problem in the country [3,5,[8][9][10][11][12] .…”

“…Recent studies from sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere have shown that -besides socioeconomic factorsmale gender, age < 15 years and the older age groups, sandy floor inside houses, no regular use of footwear, and presence of animals on the compound are associated with higher prevalences and more severe morbidity [1,4,6,7,17,18] . In addition, the disease is usually not perceived as an important condition, neither by the populations affected, nor by decision makers and health personnel, and there are often no district or countrywide control programs [19][20][21] .…”

Risk factors for scabies, tungiasis, and tinea infections among schoolchildren in southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional Bayesian multilevel model

“…Death may ensue when bacterial superinfection causes tetanus, gangrene, or septicaemia [ 13 , 14 , 17 ]. Ethiopia has a favorable environment for jigger fleas [ 18 ], and the prevalence of tungiasis ranges between 35% to 60% among school-aged children in southern Ethiopia [ 16 , 19 ]. Tinea is a fungal infection caused by dermatophyte infestation, usually on the scalp, foot, hand, groin, nails, or face [ 20 ].…”

Flea Communities on Small Rodents in Eastern Poland

“…They infest warm-blooded vertebrates, mainly mammals and, less frequently, birds [ 2 ]. Some flea species have a very wide distribution range (e.g., the human flea Pulex irritans , the oriental rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis ) [ 3 , 4 ], whereas other species are closely associated with specific types of habitats, e.g., forests, mountains, or arid areas (e.g., the sand flea Tunga penetrans ) [ 5 , 6 ]. Flea adult stages usually colonize burrows and nests or the hair of their hosts [ 7 ].…”