[Fighting against Buruli ulcer: the Côte-d'Ivoire experience].

Caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, Buruli ulcer is an infectious disease which leads to large cutaneous ulceration and is responsible for huge socio-economic consequences. Since 1997 the World Health Organization has started a global Buruli ulcer initiative in which African endemic countries are committed. After an epidemiological background of the disease in Côte-d'Ivoire and a description of the different clinical aspects, we report the main disease management actions carried out in the country by the National Program for Buruli ulcer control from 1998 to 2003. It seems that surgical team missions carried out in health center to treat cases, early detection and treatment of cases together with the implementation of a specific poly-chemotherapy lead to an effective control of the disease.