Background Taenia solium cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease that is endemic in many low- and middle-income countries where risk factors for disease transmission are present. The economic impact of cysticercosis on public health and on the pig production sector is not well known in many of those countries, including Burundi. This study aimed at estimating the burden of T. solium cysticercosis in Burundi including data on humans and pigs. Methods Epidemiological and economic data were collected from literature up to July 30, 2021 and governmental and non-governmental agencies. Direct and indirect costs for neurocysticercosis (NCC)-associated epilepsy and losses due to porcine cysticercosis were estimated to assess the economic burden, while the health burden was estimated using zoonotic disability-adjusted life years (zDALYs). Different probability distributions (Uniform, Beta, Dirichlet and Gamma) were applied depending on the type of epidemiological parameter. Monte Carlo simulations and 100,000 iterations were used to calculate the 95% uncertainty interval (UI) for each parameter and perform sensitivity analyses. Results In Burundi, 4.26 million USD (95% UI, 1,858,308–8,190,951) were estimated as economic impact due to T. solium cysticercosis in humans and pigs, of which 40.2% (95% UI, 10.3–75.1) of the total costs were due to NCC-associated epilepsy and 59.8% (95% UI, 24.9–89.7) of the losses due to porcine cysticercosis. The cost per NCC-associated epilepsy case was 72 USD (95% UI, 25–168), representing 30.8% of the GDP per capita in 2020. The probable incident cases and deaths for NCC-associated epilepsy were 9065 (95% UI, 2370–16,716) and 61 (95% UI, 16–114), respectively. More than 2 zDALYs (95% UI, 1.1–3.4) per thousand person-years was estimated, of which an average of 1.3 DALYs [0;0] (95% UI, 0.3–2.6) was due to NCC- associated epilepsy and 0.8 animal loss equivalents (ALEs) (95% UI, 0.3–1.5) due to porcine cysticercosis. Conclusions This study provides evidence of a significant burden of T. solium cysticercosis for Burundi’s population. We urge policy makers to use these evidence-based results and put T. solium cysticercosis on the public health agenda of the country. This study recommends urgent action to find solutions for integrated control strategies for T. solium cysticercosis in Burundi.

Stand of knowledge and completing studies on Eldana saccharina Wlk. (Lep., Pyralidae), a stem borer in Gramineae Eldana saccharina Walker is a cereal stem borer which was first described from West Africa by Walker in 1865. It occurs on wild and cultivated plants in all suitable areas in Africa south of Sahara, and since a few years, it is becoming a serious pest of sugar cane and other crops. Biological and ecological studies have been carried out in the field and laboratory using natural and artificial larval diets. In laboratory conditions (25 °C, 75% of rel. hum., 18 h of light), the life‐cycle is 45–50 days and the number of larval instars depends partly on diet. In the field, the majority of eggs and small larvae are taken by ants (e.g.: Pheidole umegacephala F. var. strox). In East Africa, the pupae and larger larvae lack efficient natural enemies. Control of E. saccharina is a difficile problem because of the biology of the larvae which live within the stem. Chemical control is expensive and dangerous. Several authors try to introduce and rear exotic parasites of E. saccharina. At the present time, only cultural control methods help to keep infestations down. There is a need for research on biological control agents. Zusammenfassung Stand der Erkenntnisse und ergänzende Beobachtungenüber Eldana saccharina Walk. (Lep., Pyralidae), einen Stengelminierer bei Gramineen Eldana saccharina, ein Getreidestengelbohrer, der zuerst von Walker (1865) aus West‐Afrika beschrieben wurde. Der Kleinschmetterling befällt zahlreiche wilde und kultivierte Planzen in allen geeigneten Arealen Afrikas südlich der Sahara. Seit einigen Jahren ist er zu einem bedeutendem Schädling bei Zuckerrohr und anderen Kulturpflanzen geworden. Es wurden biologische und ökologische Freiland‐ und Laboruntersuchungen mit natürlicher und synthetischer Nahrung durchgeführt. Unter Laborverhältnissen (25 °C, 75% rLF, 18 h Licht) dauerte der Lebenszyklus 45–50 Tage. Die Zahl der Raupen‐Stadien hing zum Teil von der Nahrung ab. Im Freiland wird der größte Teil der Eier und Jungraupen von Ameisen (Pheidole unegacephala F. var. strox) gefressen. In Ostafrika besteht ein Mangel an natürlichen Feinden der größeren Raupen und Puppen des Schädlings. Die Bekämpfung von E. saccharina ist aufgrund der versteckten Lebensweise im Stengel schwierig. Chemische Maßnahmen sind teuer und gefährlich. Man denkt daher an eine biologische Bekämpfung durch Zucht bzw. Einfuhr von Parasiten. Zur Zeit sind nur Kulturmethoden geeignet, den Befall niedrig zu halten. Hinsichtlich biologischer Bekämpfungsmöglichkeiten besteht ein Mangel an Forschung und Versuchen.

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