Onchocerciasis control programme-The human perspective

The West African Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP), launched in 1974, seeks to interrupt transmission o f Onchocerca volvulus (Fig. I) over a vast area now encompassing 11 countries. The main strategy has been vector control using larvicides (particularly temephos) against blockfly larvae in fast-flowing rivers and streams. More recently, the programme has also begun to implement large-scale chemotherapy using ivermectin. The OCP has an operational budget approaching US$25 million a year. The control activities have led to a dramatic decrease in the incidence of new cases, while overall prevalence of infection has been reduced from about 25-30% to below 5%, accomponied by a similar drop in the numbers o f people presenting severe ocular involvement or blindness. Entomological, clinical and epidemiological results of the programme have been discussed in detail -particularly in the various reports produced by programme personnel and associated researchers (eg. Ref. I). Here, we asked James Senghor and Ebrohim Samba to discuss what the programme has meant to the people involved.