Abstract

An epidemiological study on human onchocerciasis was conducted among 450 randomly selected farmers comprising of 213 males and 187 females within the age range of 20 - 50 years and above resident in Ebonyi central senatorial zone of Ebonyi State, Nigeria from January 2009 through December. Onchocerciasis infection was diagnosed by parasitological observation for the presence of microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus in skin biopsies and adult filariae in excised nodules. Physical examination on the skin of each subject was carried out for Onchocercal depigmentation (Leopard skin) and visible nodules while ocular examination was carried out with illiterate E chat, ophthalmoscope and tonometer. One hundred and fifty (33.3%) farmers were infected with O. volvulus comprising 100(38.0%) males and 50(26.7%) females. The highest infection rate of 37(55.3%) was observed in subjects aged of 50 years and above while the least infection was within the age range of 20 - 29 of age 17(15.5%). 19(19%) of infected males and 3(6%) females had skin lesions due to onchocerciasis, partial blindness was observed in 6(6%) males and 3(9%) females, 64(64%) males and 20(40%) females had low vision while complete blindness was observed in 4(4%) males and 2(4%) females. The importance of implementing onchocerciasis control programmes such as African programme for onchocerciasis control (APOC) and onchocerciasis control programme in West Africa (OCP) in the study areas is hereby advocated.

Key words: Onchocerciasis, microfilaria, leopard skin, nodules, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.