Journal of
Public Health and Epidemiology

  • Abbreviation: J. Public Health Epidemiol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2316
  • DOI: 10.5897/JPHE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 655

Full Length Research Paper

Investigations on the transmission potentials of Simulium damnosum and the risk of human onchocerciasis in Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Maikaje, D.B.*
  • Maikaje, D.B.*
  • Department of Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, P.M.B 2109, Kaduna, Nigeria.
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Dibal, D.M
  • Dibal, D.M
  • Department of Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, P.M.B 2109, Kaduna, Nigeria.
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Umar, Y.A
  • Umar, Y.A
  • Department of Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, P.M.B 2109, Kaduna, Nigeria.
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Egbe, N.E
  • Egbe, N.E
  • Department of Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, P.M.B 2109, Kaduna, Nigeria.
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  •  Received: 03 March 2015
  •  Accepted: 03 June 2015
  •  Published: 31 July 2015

Abstract

Onchocerciasis is transmitted to humans by the black fly, Simulium damnosum. Preliminary investigations were carried out between the months of June, 2008 and February, 2009 to verify the transmission potentials of S. damnosum for Onchocerca volvulus in a Public Amusement Park and its environs in Kaduna Metropolis of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Out of the 224 female black flies caught and dissected during the period of study, 48.21% (108/224) were found to harbor different larval stages of O. volvulus. Of the total infected flies recorded, 36.75% (68/185), 41.08% (76/185) and 22.16% (41/185) had larval stages of O. volvulus in their head, thorax and abdominal segments, respectively. The high percentage of black flies found to harbor different larval stages of O. volvulus is indicative of active transmission in and around the park. There is therefore the need for relevant Governmental agency to take a proactive step aimed at controlling the insect vector before the disease attains an epidemic proportion.

 

Keywords: Black flies, onchocerciasis, prevalence, Public Amusement Park.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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