The impact of land use and land cover change on the spatial distribution of Buruli ulcer in southwest Ghana

Abstract

Buruli ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical disease that occurs in hot and humid climates and mostly affects people living in poor rural communities and poor hygiene environments. Buruli ulcer was first detected in Uganda in 1897 but rapidly re-emerged in the 1980s. This led the World Health Organization to establish the Global Buruli Ulcer Initiative in 1998 to promote research for BU intervention. Although BU is not as deadly as tuberculosis, it has been reported in 33 countries around the globe, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions including Australia, China, and Japan. Ghana is one of thirteen African countries confirming endemic BU, and the rate of new cases is increasing rapidly. Since 1993, Ghana has reported more than 11, 000 cases. The highest prevalence rates occurred in south-west Ghana, ranging from 10.1 to 60 cases per 100, 000 people, whereas Northern, Volta, and Upper West regions had the lowest prevalence rates at 7.0 to 10.0 per 100, 000 people.