Kyrgyzstan receives humanitarian aid to combat echinococcosis

The WHO Country Office in Kyrgyzstan has provided humanitarian assistance in the form of 435 000 albendazole tablets with a dosage of 400 mg to the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance (DDPSSES) under the Ministry of Health. This drug is vital for the treatment of patients with cystic and alveolar echinococcosis and will soon be distributed to all health-care organizations of the country.

Echinococcosis, a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus, often affects humans through contact with domestic dogs and livestock. To prevent this serious disease, it is crucial for dog and livestock owners to regularly deworm their animals. Additionally, maintaining good personal hygiene, including regular handwashing, is a powerful way to avoid transmission.

Continued patient well-being

According to official data from the DDPSSES, 800 to 1500 cases of echinococcosis, including up to 200 cases of alveolar echinococcosis, are registered annually in the country. A large proportion (58% to 65%) of patients admitted for surgical treatment are children and young adults. Postoperative recurrences are noted in 32% to 38% of patients, and mortality ranges from 2% to 6%.

One of the reasons for postoperative complications and recurrences is incomplete anthelminthic treatment due to financial difficulties of patients, who may not be able to afford enough 400 mg tablets of albendazole.

"Thanks to this shipment, all identified patients will be able to receive the anthelminthic drug albendazole in 400 mg tablets free of charge for the next 2 years, which will significantly reduce the incidence of complications, relapses and disease burden in Kyrgyzstan," said Liviu Vedrasco, WHO Representative to Kyrgyzstan.

Abdykadyr Joroev, Director of DDPSSES, added, "We are grateful for this important humanitarian assistance, which will allow full access to conservative and anti-relapse therapy and ensure the continued well-being of our patients. This assistance not only addresses immediate public health concerns, but also supports long-term efforts to combat and prevent this disease."