Guidelines for rapid assessment of loa loa

Overview

RAPLOA is a rapid assessment procedure for Loa loa that uses a simple questionnaire on the history of eye worm to predict whether or not loiasis is present in a community at a high level of endemicity. In highly endemic communities, there is a risk of severe adverse reactions to the drug ivermectin following its use as treatment for ether onchocerciasis or lymphatic filariasis. RAPLOA will facilitate the planning of ivermectin distribution programmes by predicting in which communities ivermectin treatment for onchocerciasis can be safely implemented.

This document describes the RAPLOA method, and provides guidelines on how to implement RAPLOA and how to interpret the results.

The guidelines are intended for planners and implementers of ivermectin distribution programmes in Africa.