4) Preliminary Report of Japan-Guatemala Onchocerciasis Control Pilot Project

In 1915 Dr. R. Robles became the first to record American onchocerciasis from Guatemala, where it is accordingly called “Robles’ Disease”. He assumed that the vectors would prove to be blackflies and recommended that nodulectomy would be the effective treatment. Since his discovery, both original research and experimental trials concerning treatment and control measures have been carried out in this country. Indeed, Guatemala was the first country from which results of the practical use of DDT, as a larvicide against a blackfly vector of onchocerciasis, were published [1, 2]. Denodulization has continued to be practised there as a control measure for six and a half decades since this was first urged by Robles. The difficulty of vector control under local conditions was a contributory reason for this. Meanwhile, after detailed and careful preparation, OCP was launched in West Africa, late in 1974, by the Executing Agency, WHO. According to progress reports issued by WHO, this programme continues to show real promise [3]. Against this background, the government of Guatemala requested that of Japan to furnish technical cooperation with respect to onchocerciasis control. In March 1975 Japan sent a mission to Guatemala to study the feasibility of such cooperation. Its aims were to investigate the epidemiology of onchocerciasis, and existing disease control measures; and to recommend how best to organize the proposed venture. Accepting the report, Japan dispatched a second mission in June 1975 to negotiate protocol for a collaborative project. The activities discussed in this chapter, duly commenced in May 1976. By then, Japanese experts were on the spot and the necessary supplies and equipment had been received. Entomological aspects of the project and progress over the first two years are out lined below. Much of the data so far obtained remaining unpublished, credit for this work should be assigned to the entomologists concerned with the project. OBJECT OF THE ONCHOCERCIASIS CONTROL PILOT PROJECT IN GUATEMALA