Loaisis in Edo State, Nigeria

A study to determine the prevalence of loaisis was carried out in Edo State, Nigeria for a period of one year beginning from February 1999 to January 2000. A total of thirteen thousand, two hundred samples were examined. Nine samples (0.07%) were positive for Loa loa. The parasite had limited distribution in Edo State. It was observed in only six local government areas namely Uhunmwode, Ikpoba Okha, Igueben, Etsako East, Akoko-Edo and Owan East. The pattern of infection in the various age groups showed clearly that maximum exposure occurred from the third to fifth decade of life. All the positive samples were from males. The prevalence of infection was higher during the rainy (wet) season than in the dry season. The inaccessibility of the arthropod vector to humans could be advanced for the low prevalence of the disease in the state. The socio-cultural and economic factors, which predisposed to infection, were discussed as part of control measures.