WORLD HEALTH ORGAI\IZATION ORGANISATION MOI\DIALE DE LA SAIYTE

ONCHOCERCIASIS CONTROL PROGRAMME IN WEST AFRICAPROGRAMME DE LI]TTE CONTRE L'ONCIIOCERCOSE EN ATRIQTIE DE L'OUEST

ANNUAL HYDROBIOLOGISTS MEETING REPORT

Bobo-Dioulasso. 04 - 06 March. 2002

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODLICTION

AGENDA OF THE MEETING

VECTOR CONTROL LINIT ACTIVITIES IN 2OOI

General overview of VCU activitiesGeneral information on aerial operationsUtilisation of larvicides in the Western ZoneUtilisation of larvicides in the Eastern ZoneResearch activities in VCU

4. AQUATICE}.IVIRONMENTALMOMTORINGACTIVITIES

Fish monitoringEntomo lo gical monitoring

SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSIONS ON HYDROBIOLOGICAL MOMTORINGRESI.ILTS

RECOMMENDATIONS OF HYDROBIOLOGISTS TO THE ECOLOGICALGROUP

7. CLOSURE OF iV{EETING

8. JOINTHYDROBIOLOGISTS/ECOLOGICALGROUPMEETING

ANNEX I. WORK PROCRAMME FOR 2OO2

2. LIST OF DOCUMENTS

3. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

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I. INTRODUCTION

The annual meeting of hydrobiologists involved in aquatic environmental monitoringin relation to OCP was held in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, from the 4D to the 6ft ofMarch,2002.

The meeting, chaired by the chairman of the Ecological Group, Professor V.H. Restr,

supported by the OCP Director, Dr Boakye A. Boatin and the Chief of Vector Control Unit(VCU) Dr L. Yam6ogo, was opened by the Chief of VCU.

The Chief of VCU opened the meeting with a welcome to the hydrobiologists and

other participants. He announced that the meeting was to be the last of the group to be calledby the Programme. He also indicated that monitoring would be continued during 2002 but end

in November. Thus all monitoring data would be expected at the Programme's office by the

end of November insead of December. In that connection monitoring of entomofauna was toend during November, 2002. To end his opening remarks, the VCU Chief expressed a hope

that, while OCP officially ends, there would be other activities that could keep the

hydrobiologists in working contact.

The chair also welcomed participants and said that as the meeting was to be the last forthe Programme, he wished to expressed his appreciation to the hydrobiologists for the

contribution they had made to the Programme and the rich experience brought to him by his

involvement with them. He said, the most important item on his mind for the meeting, was tocomplete a sunmary simplified synthesis of responses of fauna (invertebrates and fish) tolarviciding of the OCP over the entire monitoring period. He thus proposed phases of the

monitoring regime to be considered in the synthesis and gave the floor to the Director for hisopening remarks.

The Director of the Programme, as opening remarks, welcomed all participants toBurkina Faso and Bobo-Dioulasso in particular. He, on behalf of the Regional Director and

himself thanked everyone for imputs made and continue to be made to the Programme'ssuccesses till its end in December 2002.

The Director continued with and advise to all to use the information gained from theworkshop on scientific manuscript preparation given by Prof Resh in June 2001.

He announced that the vector control and biostatistics unit of OCP had developed a

computer prograrnme considered appropriate for exploitation of the hydrobiologicalmonitoring data. He urged the hydrobiologists to use the programme and communicateproblems associated to the Programme.

The Director then mentioned the expected end of OCP at the end of December 2002,and asked hydrobiologists to try to put some projects which would facilitate their continuedobservation of the environment they have for so long been involved with.

Finally, the Director referred to the summary synthesis the chairman had called for,and said, OCP intends to build a database with its output and it will be essential to include

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those of the hydrobiologists. To end is remarks, the Director advised that participants shouldfrnd time during the few days to visit some of the cultural centers in Bobo-Dioulasso as thetown happened to be the cradle of culture in Burkina Faso.

AGENDA OF THE MEETING

The meeting's agenda as presented below was proposed and adopted.

Opening of meeting.

Presentation of VCU activities during 2001

General overview of VCU's activities,Aerial operations - general informatiorlLarvicide utilisation in the western zone,Larvicide utilisation in the eastern zone,Research activities in VCU.

Presentation of Aquatic Monitoring repofts.

Group discussions related to monitoring results.

Synthesis of response of aquatic fauna to larviciding

Drafting of report.

Closure of meeting.

Joint Hydrobiologists - Ecological Group meeting.

3. VECTOR CONTROL UNIT ACTIVITIES IN 2OOI

General overview of VCU activities

The Chief of VCU's overview of activities emphasised the impact of vector control onintemrption of transmission of onchocerciasis in the Programme area. He indicated that:

The original Programme areA colonised by savanna flies transmitting savanna type ofthe parasite, onchocerca volvulus, was characterised by hyper-endemic situations. Inthis area, vector control was started during 1974 and ended from 1989 with noivermectin administration. Intemrption of transmission by only vector control isevidenced in the whole of the original Programme area by rezults of entomologicalsurve i I lance and epidemio lo g ical evaluations.

- For example, on the river Leraba which was even reinvaded up to 1978,entomological surveillance conducted four years after the cessation of larvicidingconfrmed intemrption of transmission even if the biting rate went back at itsoriginal levels.- Observations at other fly catching points in the original Programme area nine toten years after larviciding has stopped are comparable to that of Leraba.

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ii) The extension zones had both savanna and forest flies transmitting savanna and

forest strains of the parasite, had only some hyper-endemic areas and lowerblindness rate. Vector control in the areas started in 1988 and ivermectinintroduced in 1989 in the total area.

iii) Considering all simulium damnosun species, only four catching points out of107 regularly visited had Alnual Transmission Potentials (ATP) of over 100

during 2001.

- Two of the four points were accounted for by savanna flies.

i) The good entomological results have been confirmed by epidemiologicalsurveillance.

Epidemiological surveillance undertaken two and ten years after larviciding was

stopped at various points indicated that transmission had definitely been

intemrpted. The situation suggests that vector control alone might have eliminatedthe parasite from the whole original Programme area.

- This was in spite of transmission intemrption proving diffrcult at a few of the fociinvolved, such as at the northern tributaries of the Oti river in Togo.

ii) In conclusioq available data indicate that in West Africa, where simuliumdamnosum s./. is a very efficient and highly migratory vector, onchocerciasistrarsmission control had been effectively achieved by 14 years of vector controlalone. Onchocerciasis is no longer of public health importance in the Programmearea.

iii) Where vector control and ivermectin administration had been effectedsimultaneously, as in the extension Eueas, intemrption of onchocerciasistransmission and infectivity rates of the flies both reduced earlier compared to thesituation in the original Programme area.

To maintain the transmission interruption gained as new settlements develop in theProgramme area, while the OCP comes to an end, it had been the objective of VCU todevelop national capacities for effective surveillance to detect any recrudescence oftrarumission.

To achieve the objective:

National entomologists continue to be trained since 1998, to employ a low-costsurveillance approach using a pool screening method which could be used as an earlyalarm tool.

Training manuals are being finalised for the countries.

National entomologists are being involved in day-to-day operations of the VCU

i)

ii)

iii)

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iv) The Unit was facilitating collaborative working of national entomologists andcoordinators.

v) Efforts were being made to integrate all the above into national health systems of thecountries involved.

Aerial Operations and Larviciding

a) Aerial operations

During 2001 the vector control unit had five helicopters at its disposal. Major activitiesof the aerial operations' section aimed at enhanced entomological results, better managementof insecticide stocks and eflective larviciding involvements. As a result of these activitiescombined with ivermectin treatments, entomological and epidemiological results obtained,made it possible to suspend aerial larviciding in seven river basins at the end of 2001. It was

therefore possible by then to make use of only three helicopters in 2002.

Overall hydrological observations made during 2001 indicated that the dry season ofthe year was longer compared to those of 1999 and 2000. Thus significant deficits indischarge were recorded in majority of rivers, especially in the eastern zone of theProgramme.

During 2001, use of biological insecticide (B.t. H-14) increased to 75Yo of all sevenproducts used. Carbosulfan stock was exhausted during the year. Therefore, only sixlarvicides would be used during 2002.

b) Larviciding in the Eastern Zone

Intensification of larviciding which started in the basins of Kar4 Keran and northernOti, in 1997 continued during 2001. Thus in 2001, river distance treated (about 2650 km) was

about 4TYolonger compared to previous years.

Maximum treatment in the zone occurred during the 39th week (at the end of August)the minimum during the l7s week and suspension during the 126-16n weeks (ie frombeginning of March till end of April).

The general deficit in discharge reduced volume of larvicides used in the zone to about

50% of what was used in 2000.

The overall treatment strategy included rotation of larvicides used aimed at avoidingthe development of resistance of target organisms to larvicides, and other recommendations ofthe Ecological Group. These were complimented with assessments of toxicity, susceptibilityand effrcacy ratios.

Entomological assessment at 5l regularly visited catching points showed that only twohad Annual Transmission Potential (ATPs) above 100. These were at Djabata on the Okpara(ATP : 138) and on the Pru at Asubende (ATP : 140).

Fish kills were reported in the 43'd week on river Terou at 8F0051 1 and in the 47sweek on the Oueme at Bief OU 700 after phoxim treatments. Several factors could have

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attributed to the fish kills. However, with reference to larviciding, it was considered that apossible quick and draSic reduction in discharge between the discharge reading and treatment

times could have been responsible.

c) Larviciding in the Western zone

Larviciding in the western zone covered nine basins and a total of 6988 km of riverdistance during 200I.

Maximum treatment period was in the 5s week and involved 3995 km (of riverdistance), the minimum was in the 36ft week and involved 583 km of river distance whiletreatment was suspended during weeks 37-39.

Susceptibility assessment of target organism to larvicides had been a preoccupation ofthe zone's activities with special reference to the Sassandra, Sankarani, the Niandan and the

Upper Niger basins. For example, there is intermediate susceptibility to pyraclofos in the

Guinea and Mali basins. While on the Kaba and Milo basins, the problem of susceptibility has

been with phoxim. However, on the Kolente and the Mongo, susceptibility of target organism

to all OCP larvicides is good.

Entomological results obtained during the year were generally good. Among 57

regular capture points none had an ATP above 100. An extremely good situation were noted

at Yalawa with zero ATP and Fifa with ATP of 71.

Research activities in VCU

Fly movements, identification of vector and parasites

The specie s of Simulium essentially responsible for the transmission of onchocerciasisin savanna zones of the OCP areas is S. sirbanum. The species is known to be engaged inmigratory movements from South-west to North-east of the Programme area during the wetperiod (June-August) and from North-east to South-west during the dry and harmattan period(November-l\,Iarch). A study rvas undertaken, aimed at gainirig a better understanding of the

movements, the genetic variability and vectorial capacity of populations involved in the

seasonal movements.

To achieve these objectives, samples of larvae and adults of S. sirbanum from different basins

and zones of the Programme area and beyond were collected, and experimental transmissionwas conducted. Technics applied for identification of species and caracterisation of vectorpopulations include morphology, cytotaxonomy, microsatellite markers study and DNA(heteroduplex-) analysis.

It is anticipated that results of the current study would confrm S. sirbanum migration patterns

between basins and zones of the Programme area. Also, the study would provide insight intothe risk of transmission associated with the migrations based on vector-parasite compatibility.

It was suggested that, the issue of vector-parasite compatibility should be considered in futureplanning of activities aimed at assessing recrudescence.

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4. AQTIATICENVIRONMENTALMONITORINCACTIVITIES

Introduction

Major activities of national teams monitoring river fauna and environments in relationto OCP's larvicidng in their countries were as follows during 2001:

Monitoring of non-target invertebrates and fish communities and theirpopulations where rivers continue to be treated.

ii) Assessment of recolonisation of rivers by invertebrate fauna and evaluation offish status where river treatments have been ended and

iii) Evaluation of fauna habitat quality.

Comprehensive reports on the above issues on seven representative rivers within the

Programme area have been submitted. Thus, only essential briefs are provided here.

In addition and perhaps more importantly, summary overview of 'response' of fauna

per parameter regularly monitored during the entire monitoring period on rivers have been

provided - as conclusions on status of the environment.

Fish monitoring

Fish teams monitored seven rivers in three countries in the Programme area (COte

d'Ivoire, Ghana and Guinea). At all stations, common characteristics of fish communities and

populations regularly measured were:

i) Continuous occurrence of fish species known at a station,ii) Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) of fishing,iii) Species richness of catch, and

iv) Coefficient of condition of principal species per station.

a) C6te d'Ivoire

Three rivers, Leraba, Como6 and White Bandama were monitored at Pont Frontidre,

Gans6 and Niaka respectively. Treatments on all the rivers stopped a minimum of eight years

ago.

- Species occurrence : During 2001, numbers of fish species encountered at stations in

C6te d'Ivoire were 38 on the Leraba, 35 on the Como6 and 37 on the White Bandama. The

species per station had all been encountered previously, except for the occurrence ofCitharinus eburneensis at Gansd on the Como6 (during February and December 2001).

Previously, C. eburneensis had been known in C6te dlvoire to occur at the lower reaches ofrivers but not at mid-sections, such as at Gans6 or the upper reaches of rivers.

- Species richness of catch: Species richness at all stations during 2001 was high as

the trend has been during the past five years. For example, richness recorded at the stations in2000 and considered high at the time, were 36, 34 and 32 at l*rabro Ganse and Niakarespectively compared to the 38, 35 and37 at the respective stations during 2001.

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- CPUE : Total mean CPtlEs recorded at the stations during 2001 indicated stability at

Ganse and Niaka and a fall at Pont Frontidre. However, recorded CPUE at Pont Frontidre

during 2000 was higher compared to records of 1997 till2000.

- Coefficient of condition : Mean "condition" of principal species per station continued

to be stable as previously observed.

b) Ghana

Fish monitoring continued on one river, PflI in Ghana durrng 2001. The river is stillunder treatment since 1987.

- Species occurrence : During 2001,42 fish species, all previously known to occur at

the Pru station, were encountered. Among the 42 species was Hippopotamyrus pictus, whichhad not been encountered during 1995-2000.

- Species richness of catch : Forty-two species were recorded at Asubende in 2001

compared to 52 in 2000. However, the current year's record was higher compared to pre-

treatment and other treatment years'.

- CPUE : Total mean CPUE recorded on the Pru during 2001 was about half the value

obtained in 2000. However, compared to records of 1997-l999,tlat of 2001 was higher.

- Coefficient of condition : Mean condition factor of species monitored on the Prucontinue to be stable.

c) Guinea

Three rivers, Sankarani, Milo and Dion continued to be monitored in Guinea at

Mandiana, Boussoul6 and Baramana respectively. All the rivers were under treatment during200t.

- Species occrurence : No new species was encountered at any of the three stations inGuinea during 2001 and no indication of disappearance of species was noted.

- Species richness of catch : The trend of high species richness of catch since 1997 was

maintained in 2001.

- CPUE : Compared to recent years, increases in total mean CPUEs were recorded onthe Milo and Dion during 2001 while a decrease was recorded on the Sankarani. Hydrologicaldeficits were considered accountable for the reduced CPUE on the Sankarani.

- Coeffrcient of condition : The factor continue to be stable for all species at allstations as before.

Entomo lo gical monitoring

The monitoring of the aquatic entomofauna during the 2001 sampling year concernedon the one hand the monitoring of the evolution of the non-target fauna of treated rivers and,

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on the other hand, the study of the recolonization of certain rivers by taxa following the

cessation of the anti blackfly larviciding. For a better interpretation of the results, the

assessment of the quality of the aquatic habitat initiated in 1998 continued in 2001 at all the

stations sampled.

a) Results of the monitoring of the aquatic entomofauna on treated riverc

The rivers Pru at Asubendd and Oti at Sabari

Larviciding on the Pru at Asubend6 started in 1988 and continued up to 2001. Regular

monitoring ofthis river began in 1980 well before the beginning of the larviciding operations.With respect to the presence / absence of the ta:ca known as sensitive, Neoperla sp and the

Oligoneuriidae have not been collected in the drift samples since 1997.

On the Oti at Sabari, aquatic monitoring started n 1976, one year before the beginning

of larviciding n 1977. The cessation of the regular weekly treatments occurred in 1992 butsince 1998, the main Oti river is subjected each year to a few cycles of temporary treatmentsfor the consolidation of vector conhol results. The rezults recorded on this station from 1993

to 2001 show the absence of Neoperla sp. This absence would be due mainly to a

deterioration of the quality of the aquatic habitat caused by increasing human activities.

The rivers Milo at Boussould, Niandan at Sansambaya and Dion at Tiri

At Boussoul6 on the Milo, larviciding continues since 1989. The annual average

densities of the total saxicolous fauna from 1984 to 2001 show a downward trend. The most

affected group is that of the Ephemeroptera- A reduction of the tanonomic richness in the

night drift and on the rock slabs is also noted. The taxa most affected in this environment are:

the Heptageniidae, Tricorythidae and Neoperla sp. Larviciding combined with the pollutionfrom mining activities are regarded as being the main causes of the disturbance of the fauna

on this station.

At Sansambaya on the Niandan, laxviciding also continues since 1989. Since the

beginning of the aquatic monitoring programme in 1984 up to 2001, the annual average

densities of the total saxicolous fruna have been relatively stable. On the other hand, the

densities of the Ephemeroptera group are falling. The comparison of the resuhs recordedduring the last three years of larviciding (1999-2001) with those of the pre-treatment period(1984-1986) shows a reduction of the taxonomic richness on the Sansambaya station. Thisreduction concerns especially the Heptageniidae and Oligoneuriidae regardless of the

sampling procedure used.

On the Dion at Tdrd, the absence of pre-treatment data does not facilitate the

interpretation of the data of the monitoring undertaken only since 1990 whereas the

treatments had begun since 1987. Nevertheless, the results of the annual densities of the totalsaxicolous fauna obtained for the period 1990 to 2001 show an overall upward trend. Amongthis faunq the Ephemeroptera are particularly represented and within this taxonomic group,

the Tricorythidae seem to be the most affected by the larviciding operations.

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Summary conclusion on observations on entomofauna at treated stations

Information on the status of entomofauna at treated stations showed a range of'responses'to larviciding. The range included: reduction, stability, increasing frequency ofoccurrence of some ta:ra and improvement in taronomic richness. At some stations, absence

of some sensitive taxa has been recorded. A discussion of the ftInge of responses concludedthat while larviciding could impact on the faunq part of the impact could be attributed tohabitat degradation.

b) Results of the recolonization study

Marahoui

The Marahou6 river was treated from March 1979 to June 1997. A few years after thebeginning of larviciding operations and monitoring of the non-target fauna at Danangoro and

Entomokro, some taxa such as the Tricorythidae, Oligoneuriidae and Neoperla sp althoughpresent in the night drift, had brought attention by their more or less prolonged absence on therock slabs. Even in the night drift, the occrurences of these same taxa had known a fall duringthe larviciding period.

The samplings carried out from November 1997 to December 2001 in connection withthe recolorization study made it possible to note not only the reappearance of theTricorythidae, Oligoneuriidae and Neoperla sp on the rock slabs but also an increase in theiroccurrences in the night drift. The quality of the aquatic habitat at these two stations is on thewhole favorable to the colonization by aquatic insects in spite of the establishment of a

brewery plant not far from the Entomokro station.

Red Volta

The Red Volta was treated from 1976 to 1994 but monitoring of the aquaticentomofauna was carried out at the station of Nangodi only from 1983 to 1986. During thisperiod, very few occurrences of Caridina sp and Neoperla sp were noted. After the cessationof larviciding, the sampling carried otrt from 1998 to 2001 showed a rise in the occurrences ofNeoperla sp while Caridina sp, although sampled dunng the prospections, remained absentfrom the drift samples. In addition, the quality of the aquatic habitat on this station is poor forthe aquatic entomofauna.

Nazinon, Ldraba, white Bandama, Comoe

The recolonization studies carried out made it possible to note that these various riverswere able to reconstitute their fauna from various sources. Thus, at the Pont de P6, the highesoccurrence of some taxa from 1991 to 2001 (the Leptophlebiidae rose from9%o of occurrenceduring the treatment period to 70yo after the cessation of the treatments) is revealing of morefavourable conditions for these organisms during the post-treatment period.

At Pont Frontidre on the L6rab4 the larviciding treatments did not induce any long-term disappearance of any taxa. However, after the cessation of the treatments, a rise in theoccrrrrences of most ofthe ta<a compared to the treatment period was notd.

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At Niaka on the white Bandama a recovery of the species Neoperla sp in 1993, then

of Caridina sp n2001during the post-treatment period was noted, a sign of recolonization bythese organisms after a marqued absence since 1978. After the low densities of organisms

noted on the rock slabs durrng the fust l0 years of treatment, a relative increase in the density

of the principal taxonomic groups, especially the non-target Dipter4 Odonates and

Coleoptera, was observed since the cessation of the qprayings in 1993.

At Gansd on the Como6, the post-fieatrnent period seems to offer better conditions for

the increase of occurrences of some tana. That of Neoperla sp rose from l0% during the

treatment period to 9U/o, and that of the Philopotamidae rose from l0Yo to 7U/o. On the rock

slabs, in spite ofthe end of larviciding, taxonomic diversity remained poor.

Conclusions on re-colonisation

Even if larviciding caused for certain organisms known as sensitive such as the

Tricorythidae, Heptageniidae, Oligoneuridae, Neoperla and Caridina sp either a temporary

absence or a fall in their occturence, the situation is in the process of improvement on all ofthe monitored stations.

SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSIONSMONITORING RESULTS

ON IIYDROBIOLOGICAL

The major subject and activity of groups' work and discussions was to produce a

simplified synthesis of respornes shown by fauna (fish and invertebrates) dwing various

phases of larviciding (ie, Pre-treatrnent; early treatment; total-treatment and Post-treatment

periods).

For fish fauna, the characteristics regularly monitored at dl stations as indicated

earlier, were: continued occturence of species, species richness of catctU condition factor ofspecies and Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) of fish. Table f .i. shows example of synthesis

results obtained.

For invertebrates, taxa richness of sample (Surber and Drift) and presence or absence

of sensitive ta>m, were the regular characteristics monitored. Considering these in relation to

the various periods of larviciding, results obtained are exemplified in Tables l.ii and l.iii.

Conclusions draws from the simplified synthesis tables such as Tables I .i, l.ii and f .iiiduring the entire monitoring periods were as follows:

a) Summary overview of "response" offishfauno to larviciding over monitoring period

Considering results and observations made at all the stations during over 25 years ofmonitoring, consisting of; pre-fieatment, early-treatment, total-treatment and post-treatment

periods, the following conclusion could be made with reference to characteristics of fish fauna

monitored.

- Species occrurence: All species of fish which were encountered during pre-treatment

and early treatment periods continued to occur during post-treatment periods at all stations. It

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can thus be concluded that no fish species disappeared d*rg over 25 years of larviciding ofrivers.

- 'Condition' factor of fish species: No change in mean condition of any of theprincipal species per station was recorded over the monitoring periods. Therefore larvicidingdid not directly or indirectly influence the kell-being' of fishes which is indicated by thefactor.

- Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE): Catch trends were not consistent. Majority of stationsshowed declining trends during various phases of larviciding. However, increasing trends arebeing recorded in some rivers still under treatment- Also, there have been trends of increasingCPUE, in terms of numbers, while CPUE in terms of weight, decrease, or d best fluctuate(e.g. on the Oti in Ghana and on the Dion in Guinea). Conclusion on CPUE characteristic wasthat; whatever was the impact of larviciding on the factor, there were other factors whichinfluenced trends in CPUE more importantly.

Factors considered include: Fishing pressure, use of destructive fishing practices andpoison fishing, all of wtrich have been on increase in West African countries. ThenHydrological changes (eg. West African draught of 1980 to about 1990) and drasic changesin land-use paffems within the aquatic environment, mostly in the negative direction inrelation to the aquatic environment.

b) Summary overview of responses of entomofauno to larviciding over the monitoringperiod

Conclusions from all invertebrates monitoring dat4 from pre-treatment through topost-treatment phases of larviciding, could be summarised as follows:

- at majority of stations, taxa numbers in surber and drift sarrples did not appreciablychange during phases of larviciding.

- tara considered sensitive were present at post-treatment phase of larviciding atmajority of monitored stations.

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6. RECOMMENDATIONS OF IIYDROBIOLOGISTS TO THE ECOLOGICALGROUP

Based on discussion of all their available results till 2001 and the fact that 2002 wasthe last year of the Programme, the hydrobiologists made the following recommendations tothe Ecological Group.

Monitoring and habitat assessments be continued till November 2002, with annualreports reaching OCP by the end of November.

Additional qualitative sampling be done (eg with handnets) in relation torecolonisation studies at all stations to look for treatment affected invertebratesensitive taxa.

Monitoring activities arrangements be established with appropriate national teamsin the special intervention zones where larviciding will be continued.

a

o

o

Relevant updated databases be provided to national teams by OCP.

a Workshop on data rumagement be organised in 2002by OCP for hydrobiologists.

7. CLOSURE OF MEETING

The meeting was brought to its end by chairman on the 56 of Marcb,2002. Prior to hisItnal word, the Director of the Programme, reminded hydrobiologists to take advantage of thefew months left of the OCP to make some publications. Then he thanked hydrobiologists forthe appreciation he had gained of their work through three meetings.

The chair then thanked everyone, especially the Director for contributions made to themeeting, echoed the Director's call for publications and brought the meeting to a close.

8. JOINTHYDROBIOLOGISTS/ECOLOGICALGROUPMEETING

The joint meeting received summary reports and presentations related to issues listedbelow for discussions and comments.

rg Issues related to OCP's ending from the Programme Director;

v) Summary 5implified synthesis of trends of aquatic fauna'reaction'to larvicidingin representative rivers from hydrobiologists.

vi) Special subjects from members of the Ecological Group, invited experts or otherparticipants.

a) General information on OCP and APOC

Providing general information on OCP and the African Prograrnme for OnchocerciasisControl (APOC) the Director with reference to OCP again said the Programme and itsactivities would end in December 2002. Naturally therefore, almost all current pertinent

o

18

information on OCP were related to the closure of the Programme and information of mostconcern, related to the following:

Special intervention zones (Upper Oti, Pru, Tinkisso and lvlafou basins): TheDirector said there has been intense discussions with the EAC on what was to takeplace in these areas after 2002. He reported that the EAC, as a result, had set up aworking goup which had met in Geneva in October 2001 to evaluate availableliterature and ffirmation on ivermectin distribution and vector control as basis fordeciding what were the most appropriate actions to be taken in the areas.Eventually, the following had been recommended for the areas.

In the Oti basin (in Togo and North-west of Benin): Vector control through aeiallarviciding for five additional years together with ivermectin distribution up to2012.

The other areas: Ivermectin treatment only

In Sieta Leone: The EAC, based on all available data, recommended ivermectindistribution to control onchocerciasis when it became realistic to undertake theactivity. However, the World Bank intends to support a vector control programmein Sierra Leone. The Bank is therefore sponsoring a mission to Sierra Leone inApril 2002, to review conditions and initiate the writing of a project proposalwhich shall include other heahh iszues. The Bank makes it clear however, that theconsidered control of onchocerciasis by vector control would not be approvedwithout an environmental conservirtion component. Thus, the issue of impactassessment is to be discussed by the Ecological Group.

On OCP data and publications: the Director indicated the following:

The OCP in collaboration with the Erasmus University in Rotterdam is planning toput all OCP data together as a database that would be available to all in the future.

OCP expects action on the proposed preparation and publication of a synopsis ofscientific results from environmental monitoring and related activities.The OCP wishes to publish by September 2002, a popular rnagazlne, which mightbe titled'OCP book'.

An update of the '20 years of Onchocerciasis control' document, which shallreview OCP work and activities from 1974 till2002 is intended to be done.

On equipment, the Director said: the intended Multidisease Centre to occupy the OCPpremises in Ouagadougou would make use of majority of OCP equipment. The rest, just as

vehicles, would be distributed to participating countries of the Programme to support onchocontrol residual activities.

The OCP garage in Ouagadougou is hopefully to be taken over by United Nations' Agenciesin Ouagadougou.

Finally on OCP, the Director informed the meeting that, as part of events leading tothe closure of OCP, a ceremony was held in Washington in December 2001 to which the past

19

Directors of the Programme and Mr. McNamara (President of the World Bank at the time thePrograrnme was launched) were invited to be recognised. The next JPC meeting n 2002would be held in O,'agadougou to close OCP. To that meeting, the Director said, invitationswould be extended to as many people as possible that have been closely and speciallyassociated to the Programme.

On APOC, the Director indicated that the project document for Phase II of APOCoperations had be accepted and approved by the Joint Action Forum (JAF). Thus APOC is tolast till the year 2010, the last three years of which would be the 'winding downn period.

Discussions following the Director's presentation were elaborate and intense,especially in relation to two issues. First was the implied involvement of the EcologicalGroup in the environmental conservation aspect of anticipated vector control activities inSierra Leone. Second was the issue of preparation and publication of synopsis of scientfficresults of environmental monitoring and related activities.

Reference to Sierra Leone, the Ecological Group essentially reminded the Programmethat the Group would not be in existance by the time of the Sierra kone project activity.However, the Group summarised their previous involvements in ecological conservation inrelation to vector control activities in Sierra Leone prior to socio-political destabilisation inthe country, which brought vector control in that country to a stop. These included:

i) A preliminary mission by OCP to identi$ fauna monitoring sites in 1989 and1990.

ii) Review of some of the sites by the Ecological Group in March 1991.

iii) Support for identification and training of local personnel to undertake monitoringas a national tearn

iv) Reviewed five years monitoring results from five stations before cessation ofactivities in 1998.

Therefore, the Group suggested that, when a decision to rezume vector control inSierra Leone is taken, the old monitoring stations should be revisited to assess their state andpotential use. Availability of the trained team should be ascertained. Finally, they alsorecommended that if a supervisory team for larviciding and environmental monitoring is to beformed for Sierra Leone, locals (ie West Africans) who have been zuffrciently involved in the27 years of OCP's activities should be involved with a member or two of the currentEcological Group assisting in review of issues.

On the issue of preparlng a synopsis of scientific results for publication, the EcologicalGroup regretted that, there was not enough time left for neither the Group nor OCP tocontemplate preparation, let alone publicatiorl of the original considered synopsis. However,it was eventually agreed that some scientific publications, worthy as heritage of theProgramme would be made. The type (s) and strategy for preparation were to be fi,rtherdiscussed immediately after the meeting.

The Director then requested them also to consider the original proposed docurnent tobe done within the next two-to-three years with reserved OCP support.

20

With reference to the intended OCP information database to be prepared by the OCPin collaboration with the Eramus University in Rofferdam, the Ecological Group requested thefollowing 1s make the data usable:

a) that it includes GPS determined locations and coordinates of all study sites and

b) as much as possible include background and associated inforrnation to data sets.

In relation to the expectation of the Programme for joint publicatiors from the

hydrobiologists, members of the Ecological Group made their observation that, differentmonitoring teams often considered similar data from completely different perspectives. Asituation which would be difficuh to resolve without physically working together. It thereforecalled on OCP to assist in any appropriate way to resolve the situation.

b) Landmarks of the Ecological Group with reference to the aquatic monitoringprocess

As indicated earlier in this report, the 23d session of the Ecological Group was

officially the last meeting of the Group, just as with the hydrobiologists. Having managed the

environmental conservation related issues of the OCP during the Programme's life time (28

years) it was considered that all stakeholders in OCP could learn from what the Group itselfconsidered as Iandmarks of its environmental management. Thus the inclusion of the subjectin the agenda for the last Hydrobiologists/Ecological Group meeting.

Briefly, issues and moments considered by the Ecological Group to have caused

concern to them and stakeholders of OCP were as follows:

Support of long-term usage of insecticide in rivers in spite of the "DDT syndrorne"at the time. Thus formulation of initial environmental monitoring protocols and

sampling strategies, which had to be rough, widely valid and effectively applicableby a range ofpersonnel.

Ten years use of one larvicide, temephos, with no detectable impact on the

environment, which was the primary concern of the Ecological Group. However,resistance development in the target organism caused great concerns to the Group.

Management of the resistance to larvicide leading to introduction of new larvicides(eventually 6) and their use by rotation: strategy resolved original problem and

became recognised to have wider applicationSupport of the decisionto undertakethe Leraba study'as a case study of a moreholistic approach to assessing environmental impacts on aquatic environment:strategy and results widely approved with respect to original intention.

Independent analysis of monitoring data to substantiate apparent "a6 l6ng termimpact" of larvicides on non-target fauna: Independent support of "internal"conclusions boosted image of OCP.

Jusification for appointment of a hydrobiologist within the Vector Control Unit ofOCP; it improved coordination of national monitoring tears and their output.

2t

The Programme's financial crises starting in about 1987: rnanaged mainly byreduction of sampling stations by selection of basin representative rivers.

Introduction of habitat assessment aI monitoring stations and photographicdocumentation of physical status of sites: Gave more credence to influence ofwider environmental changes effect on non-target fauna compared to larviciding.Photographic recording of station could be reference material years after OCP inrelation to future fauna state.

Emphasis put on status of sensitive taxa in study of recolonization of rivers byfauna after cessation of larviciding: reduced "background noise" in assessment ofimpact of larvicides on invertebrate non-target fauna.

Interaction with hydrobiologists: contributed to background information onmonitoring results and development ofnational capacity in West African States.

Excellent relationship of Ecological Group with VCU of OCP: facilitated Group'soutput. However, regretted lack of similar support from some agencies associatedwith the Programme at large.

c) Natural resources management (example of lYaza-Lagone project)

As part of the Programme's support to capacity building of national hydrobiologists,lvlr F. Kond6, a member of the Guinean national hydrobiological monitoring teanr, had beensupported to study aspects of aquatic systems rumagement of the Waza-Lagone Project inCameroon.

Mr Kond6 reported that an aspect of his study included natural resources restoratiorlintegration of interests of different stakeholders and assignment of responsibilities to thebeneficiaries of the resources. He suggested that the approach could be considered in therumagement of Oncho-freed areas.

22

ANNEX 1

WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2OO2

COUNTRY/RIVER/SITE

PERIOD OF SAMPLING IFREQUENCY

INVERTEBRATE FISII

January to Aprit NovemberJanuary to November

COTE DIVOIRE

Marahou6/Darumgoro

Maratrou6/Entomokro

Ldraba,/Pont Fro nt idre

Bandama,0,Iiaka

Como6/Gans6

GHANA

Oti/Sabari

Pru/Asubende

Red VoltaA{angodi

BI-TRKINA FASO

NanzinonlPont Po

GUINEE

Niandan/Sassambaya

Dion/Baranama

Dion/T6r6

Milo/Boussould

Sankarani/IVIandiana

Once a month (l day)

Once a month (1 day)

Jan., Feb.& Nov. (recolonisation)

Jan., Feb., Oct. and Nov.(recolonisation)

Sept. to Nov. (recolonisation)

Jan, Feb. and Nov.

Once a month (l day)

Aug. To Oct. (recolonisation)

July to Nov. (recolonisation)

Once a month (l day)

Once a month (l day)

Orrce a month (1 day)

Once every 2 months (2 nights)

Once every 2 months (2 nights)

Once every 2 months (2 nights)

Once every 2 months (2 nights)

Once every 2 months (2 nights)

Once every 2 months (2 nights)

Once every 2 months (2 nights)

NB: The drift samples are taken only to follow toxonomic richness of rivers

23

ANNEX 2

LIST OF DOCUMENTS

OCP/VCU/[IYBIO|02.0| - Progress report on aquatic monitoring by OCP team - 2001L. Robert Bakon6 & Joseph-Marie Tapsoba

OCPA/CU/HYBIO|02.02 - Annual report of C6te dlvoire - Entomology - 2001Bihoum Moussa, Ayekoue Patrice & Kouassi N'Gouan Cyrille

OCPNCU/IIYBIO|}Z.O3 - Invertebrate monitoring report of Ghana - 2001

J. Samman & A. Ampofo-Yeboatt

OCPA/CU/IIYB[O|02.M - Monitoring of the entornofauna in GuineaKdl6tiguiNabe - 2001

OCPA/CU/[IYBIO/02.05 - Annual report of C6te dTvoire - Ichthyofauna - 2001Kouassi N'Gouan Cyrille

OCP/VCU/HYBIO/02.06 - Fish monitoring in relation to OCP larviciding in Ghana - 2001E.K. Abban & IC Kwarfo-Apegyah

OCPA/CUiHYBIO|0Z.O7 - Ichthyological report in Guinea -2001Moussa Elimane Diop

24

ANNEX 3

LIST OF PARTICIPAI{TSHydrobiologists

Dr N.C. Kouassi, Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA)01 BP 621, Bouak6 01, C6te dlvoire T6l.: (225)31.63.21.70131.65.49.14Fax: (225) 31.63.68.53 - E-mail : cnra@africaonline.co.ci

M. Bihoum Moussa, VCU/OCPlBouak6, C6te dlvoire

Dr E.K. AbbarU Council for Scientific and Industrial Researctr, Water Research Institute(CSIR/WRI), P.O. Box AH.38, Achimot4 Ghan4 Fax (233) 21 77 7170Tel.:(233) 2176 83 l0 - E-mail: wri@ghana.com

Dr J. Sammaru Council for Scientific and Industrial Researctr, Water Research Institute(CSIWWRI), P.O.Box AH.38, Achimota, Ghan4 Tel.:(233) 21775135 -233 21761031 -233 21 775511 - Fax: (233) 21 76 l0 30 - E-mail: wri@ghana.com

M. A. Diop, Equipe nationale Oncho, Kankan, GuindeT6l./Fax (224) 7 I 02 7 8 - E-mail : melimane@webmails.com

M. K. Nab6, Equipe nationale Oncho, Kankan, Guin6e - T6l.: (224)71 0278

M. F. Kond6, Equipe nationale Oncho, IGnkarU Guin6e - Tdl.: (224) 71 02 78

National coordonnator

Dr S. Sanorl Coordonnateur national de la D6volution, Prograrnme de lutte contreI'Onchocercose, Direction de la Mddecine PrdventiveB.P. 7013, Ouagadougotl Burkina Faso

* Ecological Groupe

Professor Vincent H. Resh, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management,Entomology Prograrn, University of California, 201 Wellman Hall, Berkeley, California94720, USA Tel.: (510) 642-3327 - Fax (510) 642-7428 - E-mail: wesh@nature.berkeley.edu

OCP Secretariat

Dr B.A. Boatiru Programme Director, 01 B.P. 549, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso

Dr L.ICB. Akpoboua VCU/OCP, B.P. 36IGra, Togo

M. A. Ak6, VCU/OCP, B.P. 504 Odienn6, C6te d'Ivoire - E-mail: ocp.zo@aviso.ci

Dr Y. Bissan, VCU/OCP, B.P. 504 Odienn6, C6te d'Ivoire - E-mail: ocp.zo@aviso.ci

M. M. Sarr, VCU/OCP, B.P. 504 Odienn6, C6te d'Ivoire - E-mail: ocp.zo@aviso.ci

Dr L. Yarn6ogo, VCU/OCP, 01 B.P. 549 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso

M. J.M. Tapsoba, VCU/OCP, 01 B.P. 549 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso

M. L. Bakon6, VCU/OCP, 0l B.P. 549 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso

* Rdunion conjointe hydrobio. - EG : participants ci-dessus + Prof. V. H. Resh, Prof. DCalamari, Dr C. Lev6que, Prof. A. Reenberg.

I