South Asian Journal of Parasitology

Despite years of mass drug administration to inhabitants of Awgu in Enugu State Nigeria, onchocerciasis has persisted. Evidently the persistence of onchocerciasis is linked to environmental drivers of recrudescence, occupation and anthropogenic activities. There were 0% prevalence rate of body itching among respondents that do not visit streams. Prevalence of body nodules was same for both male and female that visits streams and rivers 50 ± 0.01%. Prevalence of body nodules among females that don’t visit rivers and streams was 3.82±0.12% and the male counterpart was 0.63±0.03%. Prevalence of red eyes among female folks that visits streams and rivers was 60.58 ± 0.04% and 39.42 ± 0.21% for the males. Female folks that do not visit had prevalence of 4.46±0.09% and the males 1.27±0.02%. Molecular identification using DNA analysis of dried blood and primer sequence of OvFWD 5′-TGT GGA AAT TCA CCT AAA TAT G-3′, OvREV 5′-AAT AAC TGA TGA CCT ATG ACC-3′ in a singleplex reaction was employed in the early identification of Onchocerca volvulus.  Residents were identified under, traders, farmers, civil servants and students. Farmers, traders and civil servants had highest cases of onchocerciasis. Prevalence of body itching among female folks that visit streams and rivers was 57.25 ± 0.32% while their male had 42.75 ± 0.15%.  There were no body rashes and leopard skin among the male and female folks that do not visit streams and rivers. Female folks that visit streams and rivers had rashes prevalence of 58.14 ± 0.05% and males 42.85 ± 0.60%. Leopard skin prevalence was equal for both female and male folks that visits streams and rivers 50 ± 0.01. Results suggests that onchocerciasis is associated with anthropogenic activities. Interventions should be an integrated management approach involving mass drug administration, vector ecology and ecosystem manipulations and on provision of portable water.