A progress report on the use of niridazole mass chemotherapy in a schistosomiasis control pilot project in Mwanza, Tanzania
Eyakuze, V.M.
Parasitoses of man and animals in Africa Proceedings 1972 Ann Science Conf E African Medicine Res Council, Dar es Salaam: 473-480
1974
Document Number: 573665
In 1969, the inhabitants of a small trial area of Mitindo-Mwamanga, Tanzania, were given one dose of niridazole at 25 mg/kg body-weight. The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection was reduced from 42% at the time of treatment to 21% by a year later. Treatment was repeated and a year later, in 1971, prevalence was 18%. These figures would have been lower had it not been for the arrival in the area of untreated migrants. Elsewhere in the Misungwi pilot control area, in 1970, almost 1,000 people were given 5 daily doses of 35 mg/kg and prevalence 6 months later was 28%, compared with 65% in the same areas in 1968-69. Treatment was preceded by mollusciciding with niclosamide. The mean egg output was reduced to 8% of its original level. Side effects were minimal but the main drawback to using niridazole is its high price.