Reduced prevalence of onchocerciasis following mass treatment with ivermectin

The effect of four years of cummulative annual treatment with ivermectin just before the fifth round of dosing with the drug was studied in six endemic communities where pretreatment data had been collected in 1992. Significant reductions in prevalence of microfilaridermics (PMF), skin microfilarial density (MFD) and community microfilarial load (CMFL) was recorded. Remarkable reductions in PMF were recorded in Gbodongi (53.0%), Ndanako (80.1%) and others. In all the communities, the infection was reduced to a hypo endemic status except for Gbodongi. This was corroborated by the increase in amicrofilaridermics. CMFL was reduced in Gbodongi by 64.2%, Lata (53.1%) and the least in Bongi (11.0%). Reduction in clinical manifestations were variable.