Onchocerciasis in Gongola State Nigeria: prevalence and intensity of infection in the Upper Taraba River valley

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Periodical article

Title:	Onchocerciasis in Gongola State Nigeria: prevalence and intensity of infection in the Upper Taraba River valley
Authors:	Akogun, Oladele B. Akoh, John I.
Year:	1991
Periodical:	Annals of Borno
Volume:	8-9
Pages:	104-111
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Nigeria Northern Nigeria
Subject:	blindness
Abstract:	A survey of the prevalence of onchocerciasis was carried out in the Taraba River valley, Nigeria, where Simulium damnosum s.1. is known to breed but about which no epidemiological data exists. Skin biopsies taken from 2,876 persons in 14 communities were examined for the microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus. The German-made Holth type corneosclera punch with 1,5 mm bite was used. 100 percent infection rate was recorded in one of the communities; five other communities had prevalence rates between 81 percent and 94.7 percent. Four communities had infection rates between 44.8 percent and 69.1 percent. The remaining four communities had prevalence rates between 7.7 percent and 28.4 percent. The mean microfilarial density in all the communities was 64.7 with a range between 3.2 and 167.6. The present findings indicate that the Taraba River valley may be one of the worst onchocerciasis zones in Nigeria. Bibliogr., sum.