Integrated survey of Taenia solium endemicity, schistosomiasis, scabies, and Guinea-worm disease in northern Namibia.
11 affiliations
- 1Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. [email protected].
- 2Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
- 3World Health Organization Country Office, Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
- 4Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
- 5Global Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
- 6Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Windhoek, Namibia.
- 7Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
- 8Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
- 9Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, USA.
- 10Global Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. [email protected].
- 11Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
During a Mass drug administration (MDA) campaign for schistosomiasis using praziquantel in Namibia in 2019, three cases of serious neurological adverse events were observed due to neurocysticercosis caused by the parasite Taenia solium. To have a better understanding of T. solium endemicity, and to prevent and minimize adverse events in future disease control campaigns, the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia decided to conduct field surveys, and take the opportunity to integrate schistosomiasis, scabies, and Guinea-worm disease (GWD) surveillance.Methods
In July 2024, ten survey teams were deployed to the five regions selected as high-risk (Kavango West, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto), using the World Health Organization (WHO) Risk Classification tool for T. solium. Stool and urine samples were collected and analyzed using Kato-Katz and urine filtration, interviews were undertaken relating to GWD and clinical assessments conducted for scabies. Geographical variations in parasite distribution were evaluated for each species using the design-adjusted Rao-Scott second-order chi-square test of independence.Results
Roaming pigs and deficient sanitation were confirmed in all regions (61% of the households reported not having a latrine). Laboratory analysis of 4880 stool samples confirmed the presence of T. solium in all regions except Oshana. Only Ohangwena, with a positivity rate of 0.6%, reached the threshold suggested by the WHO to trigger a public health program. However, T. solium was also present in another three regions below the WHO threshold, and while it was not detected in Oshana, it was detected in nearby villages in Ohangwena and Oshikoto. The analysis of 4876 urine samples showed the prevalence of schistosomiasis was only above the threshold to trigger MDA in Kavango West (9.98% for Schistosoma haematobium, and 1.65% for S. mansoni). The overall prevalence of scabies was 1.9% and below the suggested level to justify MDA in all regions. Three households in Ohangwena, near the border with Angola, reported having seen GWD in humans or dogs.Conclusions
The results provide updated information on T. solium and schistosomiasis endemicity and will guide future disease control efforts, including the prevention, early identification and management of praziquantel-related adverse events.
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BibTeX
@article{katokele2026integrated,
title = {{Integrated survey of Taenia solium endemicity, schistosomiasis, scabies, and Guinea-worm disease in northern Namibia.}},
author = {Stark Katokele and Undjee Kaura and Sirak Hailu and Wilma Florenze Soroses and Rosalia Nairenge and Elizabeth Juma and Bernadette Abela and Amadou Garba Djirmay and Helena Meke Shikwambi and Maria Amaambo and Nicole Wangui and Nyamai Mutono and Katherine Gass and Meritxell Donadeu and Pauline Mwinzi},
journal = {Infectious diseases of poverty},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1186/s40249-026-01514-w},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972419},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Integrated survey of Taenia solium endemicity, schistosomiasis, scabies, and Guinea-worm disease in northern Namibia.
AU - Stark Katokele
AU - Undjee Kaura
AU - Sirak Hailu
AU - Wilma Florenze Soroses
AU - Rosalia Nairenge
AU - Elizabeth Juma
AU - Bernadette Abela
AU - Amadou Garba Djirmay
AU - Helena Meke Shikwambi
AU - Maria Amaambo
AU - Nicole Wangui
AU - Nyamai Mutono
AU - Katherine Gass
AU - Meritxell Donadeu
AU - Pauline Mwinzi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Infectious diseases of poverty
DO - 10.1186/s40249-026-01514-w
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972419
AB - Background During a Mass drug administration (MDA) campaign for schistosomiasis using praziquantel in Namibia in 2019, three cases of serious neurological adverse events were observed due to neurocysticercosis caused by the parasite Taenia solium. To have a better understanding of T. solium endemicity, and to prevent and minimize adverse events in future disease control campaigns, the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia decided to conduct field surveys, and take the opportunity to integrate schistosomiasis, scabies, and Guinea-worm disease (GWD) surveillance.Methods In July 2024, ten survey teams were deployed to the five regions selected as high-risk (Kavango West, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto), using the World Health Organization (WHO) Risk Classification tool for T. solium. Stool and urine samples were collected and analyzed using Kato-Katz and urine filtration, interviews were undertaken relating to GWD and clinical assessments conducted for scabies. Geographical variations in parasite distribution were evaluated for each species using the design-adjusted Rao-Scott second-order chi-square test of independence.Results Roaming pigs and deficient sanitation were confirmed in all regions (61% of the households reported not having a latrine). Laboratory analysis of 4880 stool samples confirmed the presence of T. solium in all regions except Oshana. Only Ohangwena, with a positivity rate of 0.6%, reached the threshold suggested by the WHO to trigger a public health program. However, T. solium was also present in another three regions below the WHO threshold, and while it was not detected in Oshana, it was detected in nearby villages in Ohangwena and Oshikoto. The analysis of 4876 urine samples showed the prevalence of schistosomiasis was only above the threshold to trigger MDA in Kavango West (9.98% for Schistosoma haematobium, and 1.65% for S. mansoni). The overall prevalence of scabies was 1.9% and below the suggested level to justify MDA in all regions. Three households in Ohangwena, near the border with Angola, reported having seen GWD in humans or dogs.Conclusions The results provide updated information on T. solium and schistosomiasis endemicity and will guide future disease control efforts, including the prevention, early identification and management of praziquantel-related adverse events.
SN - 2095-5162
SN - 2049-9957
ER -