REVIEW EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF PARAGONIMIASIS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONS: LESSONS LEARNT AND THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Food-borne trematode infections are among the neglected tropical diseases ignored in terms of attention, research, and funding, among which paragonimiasis remains a public health concern in the World Health Organization (WHO) Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. Adequate information on infection status is essential to provide a basis for policy formulation. A review of the epidemiology and control of paragonimiasis in selected countries in the two WHO regions based on published literature from January 1998 to December 2018 was undertaken to obtain lessons for improving control measures and delivery of service. Although various efforts to control paragonimiasis in the two regions showed progress, several challenges remain, such as need of a well-established surveillance system in endemic countries as the distribution of paragonimiasis is highly focal, development of more sensitive and field-applicable diagnostic tools, integrated surveillance of paragonimiasis due to misdiagnosis as tuberculosis, and investigation into the use of praziquantel in regions where co-endemicity with other parasitic infections exist. In addition, health promotion and capacity building of health care workers remain essential elements in future successful control of paragonimiasis in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions.