Ten years (2004­2014) of Chagas disease surveillance and vector control in Ecuador: successes and challenges

objective To describe the current situation of Chagas disease in Ecuador and to evaluate theimpact of vector control for the period 2004­2014.methods Since 2004, the Ministry of Public Health has formalized activities for the surveillanceand control of Chagas disease and we analyzed here available records.results More than 200 000 houses were surveyed, and 2.6% were found to be infested (95% CI:2.6­2.7), and more than 51 000 houses were sprayed with residual insecticide, with important yearlyvariations. A total of 915 cases of T. cruzi infection were registered. The Amazon region is emergingas a high priority area, where nearly half of T. cruzi infection cases originate. The costal region andthe southern highland valleys remain important high-risk area. Vector control efforts over the past10 years have been effective in the coastal region, where T. dimidiata predominates, and resulted inimportant reductions in house infestation indices in many areas, even reaching negligible levels insome parishes.conclusion Vector efforts need to be sustained and expanded for the elimination of T. dimidiata tobe feasible. Novel vector control interventions need to be designed to reduce intrusion by severaltriatomine species present in the Amazon region and southern Ecuador. Strong political commitmentis needed to sustain current achievements and improve the national coverage of these programmes.