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Results of a large scale onchocercosis survey in Enugu State, Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

O.C. Nwaorgu
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Enugu State University of Technology, P.M.B. 01660 Enugu, Nigeria
A. Ohaegbula
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Enugu State University of Technology, P.M.B. 01660 Enugu, Nigeria
I.E. Onweluzo
Affiliation:
Division of Vector and Malaria Control Unit, Ministry of Health, Enugu State, Nigeria
E.T. Alo
Affiliation:
Division of Vector and Malaria Control Unit, Ministry of Health, Enugu State, Nigeria
L.N. Nweke
Affiliation:
Division of Vector and Malaria Control Unit, Ministry of Health, Enugu State, Nigeria
M.L. Agu
Affiliation:
Division of Vector and Malaria Control Unit, Ministry of Health, Enugu State, Nigeria
E. Emeh
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Enugu State University of Technology, P.M.B. 01660 Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of onchocercosis was determined in three Local Government Areas (Ezeagu, Oji-River and Uzo-Uwani) in Enugu State, Eastern Nigeria between March 1989 and June 1990. Enugu State was shown to be mesoendemic for onchocercosis. A total of 7472 (26.9%) persons out of 27,831 examined were positive for skin microfilariae. There was no significant difference in infection rates between males (27.6%) and females (26.2%). Of the 118 villages surveyed only five had no inhabitant with skin microfilariae. There was a progressive increase of prevalence to the second decade of life, although 96.6% of cases with skin microfilariae had only a light infection. Onchocercomata prevalence was recorded as 27.3% which tallies with the prevalence of skin microfilariae at 26.9% hence onchocercomata prevalence may be used as a yardstick for predicting skin microfilariae prevalence.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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