The health authorities in Lakes State’s Awerial County plan to roll out preventive treatment for elephantiasis and river blindness to an estimated 62,000.
Elephantiasis is a tropical disease mainly transmitted by nematodes commonly known as roundworms and is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. It causes swelling of the legs, arms, breasts, or abdomen. Meanwhile, river blindness, known scientifically as onchocerciasis, is caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted by repeated bites of infected blackflies, and this causes poor vision at night in humans when not treated.
Abraham Taban Maker, the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Coordinator in Lakes State, told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that 62,000 people will receive elephantiasis and river blindness preventive drugs in Awerial County.
He also confirmed that his office has recorded 3 new cases of elephantiasis and 50 cases of river blindness in the county this year.
“In Lakes State, only the two counties of Awerial and Wulu have been selected for the campaign due to the number of cases recorded by the health department,” he explained. “So, we are reaching out to everyone here to take drugs to prevent the diseases. The drugs are safe but the people not allowed to take the vaccine are lactating mothers, very sick people, and pregnant women and children below five years.”
On his part, Chuol Buoth, the National Supervisor for Neglected Tropical Diseases, said they are targeting people living along the Nile and Gel Rivers in Lakes State.
He encouraged adults and children aged five and older to turn up for the campaign.
“This campaign is very important for your life because you cannot wait until you fall sick and seek medication. Take these drugs now to prevent sickness,” he advised. “All the people living along the River Nile are targeted to take drugs for prevention. The campaign will go on for five days and I am urging the community to turn up for the exercise.”