Amile's Curse. Ivermectin and the Fight Against Onchocerciasis: Reflections from Ushongo

      Аннотация: This book chronicles the impact of Ivermectin on the prevalence of Onchocerciasis, a debilitating disease also known as river blindness, in the Ushongo Local Government Area. The study examined the disease prevalence among 1014 volunteers from 5 communities who had received various rounds of Ivermectin. Results revealed a significant reduction in the disease's prevalence compared to the previous assessment carried out in 2005. Farmers were the occupation most infected with the disease, and the elderly were the most affected age group. However, progress has been made, as visible manifestations of the disease, such as itching, depigmentation, and palpable nodules, declined over time. The book highlights the suffering caused by Onchocerciasis and the hope brought by Ivermectin. The flowing River Amile, which contributes to the prevalence of the disease, serves as a vivid backdrop for the study. The use of computer simulations to interrupt transmission and the effectiveness of Ivermectin in controlling the disease are also explored in the book. The study's results showed that Ivermectin is an effective tool for the control of Onchocerciasis.

Ключевые слова: Ivermectin, Onchocerciasis, river blindness, ushongo, Amile, Nigeria, BENUE