During the commemoration of the Mectizan Donation Program’s 15th anniversary, Dr. Guillermo Zea Flores, Expert Advisor to the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), was presented with the Mectizan Donation Program Special Achievement Award during the 2002 InterAmerican Conference on Onchocerciasis in Manaus, Brazil. The award was given to Dr. Zea-Flores in recognition of his “steadfast dedication and vital contributions” to the development and sustainability of Mectizan mass distribution in Latin America.
Dr. Zea-Flores’ work on onchocerciasis began in 1977 with the Guatemala Ministry of Public Health where he remained until 1991, during which time he played a key role in the search for a safe and effective drug to treat onchocerciasis.
Much of his research was conducted during the war in Guatemala, which was often fought in onchocerciasis endemic areas. Dr. Zea-Flores and his field staff worked in these areas of conflict where they encountered gunfire and their vehicles were burned. In addition to these enormous challenges, they often worked in rough terrain with little or no road access.
Dr. Zea-Flores’ participation in the early development of Mectizan has been instrumental in the Mectizan Donation Program’s success. In 1985 he was asked by Merck, Sharp & Dohme to serve as principal investigator in Latin America during the phase III trials of Mectizan (ivermectin, MSD). Following Merck’s announcement of the donation of Mectizan in 1987, Dr. Zea-Flores became one of the first members of the Mectizan Expert Committee and was a key player in the early planning for mass distribution of Mectizan. He has been involved with OEPA since its inception in 1993 providing technical assistance and support for all six endemic countries in Latin America. With his guidance, OEPA is sure to achieve its goal to eliminate morbidity and transmission of the disease.
Dr. João Sanches of Merck & Co., Inc. in Brazil presented Dr. Zea-Flores with the award commenting, “His dedication is unparalleled. His courage and perseverance astounding. His vision and ability to motivate others to work with him toward the goal of elimination remarkable. Dr. Zea-Flores is a true leader in public health. Quite simply, because of Dr. Zea-Flores, thousands of people in Latin America no longer face the devastation wrought by onchocerciasis.”