Filariasis: Epidemiological and Parasitological study of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filriasis In Anfilo Woreda, Western Wellega, Ethiopia

The World Health Organization estimates that 123 million people live where river blindness is endemic and that 17.7 million people are infected with Onchocerca volvulus. Lymphatic filariasis is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease which has major social and economic impacts. Currently World Health Organization and World Bank have an African Program for Onchocerciasis Control and a global program for elimination of lymphatic filariasis. Epidemiological and parasitological study was conducted in Anfilo Woreda to determine the prevalence and distribution of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic filariasis.The study included 1114 inhabitants. Onchocerciasis was found in all study areas with an overall prevalence of 74.8%. The overall prevalence of Onchocercal Skin Disease was found to be 26.4%. The new prevalence of lymphatic filariasis was found to be 7.5%. Onchocercal skin disease was found to affect considerable number of population. Therefore, the currently commenced community directed treatment with ivermectin should be enhanced. Moreover, there should also be health education on transmission of the disease and control of vector.