Buruli Ulcer is caused by a germ that mainly affects the skin. It can also affect the bone. The disease often begins as a painless nodule under the skin and then progresses without pain or fever into an ulcer on the skin. In Ghana, the Buruli ulcer endemic areas are Pokukrom, Anyanfuri and Subin in the Central Region while the controlled areas are Kedadwen in the Western Region and Nangrumah in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Buruli Ulcer can be treated, but its mode of transmission is the major challenge confronting researchers, scientists and health officials. The Research and Education on Buruli Ulcer, with funding from the National Science Foundation is trying various approaches to understand the mode of transmission. These include climate conditions, land disturbance and human activities. 
Professor Petra Tschakert of the University of Pennsylvania, USA is the principal investigator. A resource person from the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Professor Richard Amankwa explained the complications and conditions in the endemic and the controlled areas. He said there are similar conditions in the two different areas, yet the disease is endemic in one and controlled in the other. The project has an educational component and uses selected schools to educate the people on early treatment for the condition, which is one of the measures to control it. Mr. Tonnies Buckman also is the head of the Rebuild research team at Boamposem SHS. He said using sketches, outreach programmes and social interaction, they have been able to demystify to a large extent, the perception that, Buruli ulcer is curse and not a treatable disease. In an interview, Professor Joseph Oppong of the North Texas University and a member of the team said the project which is in its fifth year has had a positive impact on the endemic communities
Comments