Researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School have assessed the prevalence of podoconiosis (podo) in Cameroon. The non-filarial form of elephantiasis was identified as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization in 2011.
Despite the disease being reported in more than 32 countries, Ethiopia is the only country where podoconiosis risk has been extensively mapped to date.
The disease is caused by a reaction to the volcanic soils unique to these regions and symptoms include swelling and disfigurement of the feet and lower legs. It is most prevalent in the subsistence farming communities who spend the majority of their time working barefoot in these irritant soils. Years of exposure can result in debilitating mobility issues, affecting a person's earning ability and local stigmatisation of the disease results in individuals, and even whole families, being ostracised from their communities.
In the new work, Dr Kebebe Deribe, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Global Health and Infection department at BSMS, and colleagues, sampled 76 villages from 40 health districts in Cameroon. In each village, all individuals age 15 and older were surveyed and screened for lymphedema – the swelling that is indicative of elephantiasis. In cases of lymphedema, other diagnoses, including the filarial forms of elephantiasis, were excluded using field tests.
Overall, 10,178 individuals from 4,603 households participated. 83 people with lymphedema were identified and 52 diagnosed with podoconiosis.
Specific control methods include the use of footwear, regular foot hygiene and floor coverings. For those with the diseases management of the lymphedema-related morbidity is recommended which includes foot hygiene, foot care, wound care, compression, exercises, elevation of the legs and treatment of acute infections.
Dr Deribe said: "We have clear prevention and control strategies, and can beat this disabling disease in one generation. We must do more to improve podoconiosis control in high-risk countries by increasing coverage with proven interventions, such as footwear and foot washing. The elimination of podoconiosis requires a combination of political will, policy formulation and operational and financial commitment by governments of endemic countries and donors."