Studies on the types and distribution of S. damnosum adults in Imo state, Nigeria using morphometric method of identification

Studies on the various types and distribution of adult S. damnosumcomplex in Imo Sate Nigeria were carried out between April 2004 and March 2005. The studies were conducted in three selected onchocerciasis endemic communities of the state: - Nguru/Umuaro in Ngor Okpala, Umunumo/Umuawuchi in Ihitte Uboma and Umulolo in Okigwe. Morphometric analysis of adult S. damnosumflies: (colors of forecoxa, wingtuft and antenna) showed that distinct forest flies as well as flies with both savannah and forest characteristics were present in the study area. Forest types were significantly high in abundance (77%), while the savannah type was the least (8.8%) and extremely scarce during the peak of the rains (

Studies on the ecology and sitribution of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Imo state Nigeria

Studies on the ecology and distribution of Simulium (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Imo State, Nigeria were undertaken to ascertain the presence or absence of Simulium in the different river systems as well as the distribution of the vector and non-vector species within the study area. A total of 18 breeding sites from 16 river systems in Imo State were sampled for Simulium pre-imaginal stages. The result shows that 7 sites from 5 rivers favored the breeding of blackflies. These breeding sites are: Imo River at Amuro, Umunumo Uboma and Nzerem; Ibii river at Umulolo Okigwe, Iyiechu at Okigwe town, Isi-iyi at Onicha Ezinihitte and Oguchie at Ngor. A total of 9 species of blackflies were identified in the course of this study; S. damnosum s. l. S. alcocki, S. schoutidein; S. mcmahon, S. hargreavesi, S. vorax, S. walshi, S. adersi and S. unicornitum. Rivers/Streams that support Simulium growth and development here rocky substrates, fast flowing, at some points, with high dissolved oxygen of between 6.5 and 7.2 mg/l. Simulium was not recorded in most seasonal polluted streams with accessed dissolved oxygen content and little or no dissolved nutrients. . International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 412-41

The endemicity of dracunculiasis, transmission pattern and ecology of cyclopoid copepods in the Northwestern part of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Studies on the endemicity of dracunculiasis, it's transmission pattern and ecology of cyclopoid copepods in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State Nigeria were carried out between January and December 2001. Of the 2226 persons examined in eight communities, 426 (19.1%) were infected. This included 24 (18.3%) and 202 (20.2%) males and females respectively. The highest prevalence (47.9%) was recorded in Iyere community followed by Ekka (43.9%) with Umuoghara community as the least (12.4%). Although the overall male prevalence was lower than the female, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Infection prevalence in school-aged children (1-24 years) was significantly higher than the older persons (p63% of all the copepods found. This was followed by Thermocyclops oblongatus nigerianus with M. ogunnus Onabamiro as the least. Only T. oblongatus nigerianus and M.aequatorialis were infected with D. medinensis larvae. The ecology of the vector in relation to the epidemiology of the disease in the area is discussed. Keywords: dracunculiasis, endemicity, transmission pattern, ecology, cyclops, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2005: 57-6

Assessment of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

An assessment study of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis amongst farming communities of Ezza north, Ebonyi State, Nigeria was carried out. A total of 2,226 persons were physically examined during the initial study prior to the application of intervention measures. A total of 426 (19.1%) subjects had either Dracunculus ulcers or emergent worms. About 18.5% and 20.2% males and females were infected respectively. Infection varied among communities with Iyere (47.9%) and Ekka (43.9%) being significantly higher than others (

A guide to the Simulium damnosum complex (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Nigeria, with a cytotaxonomic key for the identification of the sibling species.

<title/> Although approximately 40% of all the people blinded by Onchocerca volvulus are Nigerians, almost nothing was known about the various cytospecies of the blackfly vectors present in Nigeria until 1981. The activation of the Nigerian National Onchocerciasis Control Programme in 1986 (and that programme's initiation of mass distributions of ivermectin in 1991) provided a significant stimulus to understand the biology of the Nigerian vectors but the exploration of any possible differences between the cytospecies has been hampered by a lack of accessible taxonomic information. This review attempts to satisfy that need. There are nine different cytoforms reliably recorded from Nigeria (Simulium damnosum s.s. Nile form, S. damnosum s.s. Volta form, S. sirbanum Sirba form, S. sirbanum Sudanense form, S. soubrense Beffa form, S. squamosum A, S. squamosum B, S. squamosum C and S. yahense typical form), and three more are known from surrounding countries and might be reasonably expected to occur in Nigeria. All of these cytospecies are presumed to be vectors, although there have been almost no identifications of the vectors of O. volvulus in Nigeria. The biogeographical distribution of the cytoforms is broadly similar to that known in other parts of West Africa (although many of the cytoforms remain insufficiently studied). The physico-chemical hydrology of the Nigerian breeding sites of the cytospecies does not, however, correspond to that seen elsewhere in West Africa, and it is not clear whether this might be related to differences in the cytoforms. An illustrated cytotaxonomic key is presented to facilitate and encourage future studies